EP1243423A2 - Consumable module for an electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

Ink cartridge (1) is mounted in a carrier (2) and has electrical connectors (4, 5, 14) for connecting it to a controller (8) via a contact element (6). The cartridge has a projection (11) with which the cartridge connects to the carrier to prevent its use with other types of carrier. The connectors and projection are designed so that if they are removed in an unauthorized manner, they will be at least partially destroyed.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrically operated consumption module for Inserting in a holder of an electronic device, in particular a Ink cartridge for the printing device of a franking machine, with a Consumable device, associated electrical connection elements, the Contact elements for connecting the consumption module with a Have consumption module control of the device, and one for Cooperation with the holder provided projection to prevent the Use in different types of holders.

Interchangeable ink cartridges for printing devices such as simple ones Office printers, usually consisting of a consumer device in the form a printhead and an associated ink reservoir. Is the ink cartridge inserted in the corresponding holder of the printer, so is the print head connected to the printer controller via the electrical connection elements, which controls the individual print elements of the print head for printing. Such ink cartridges usually have a special geometric Design on, which ensures that the ink cartridge only in the holders printers can be used for which the ink cartridge is provided is. The above-mentioned projections are also used here Ensure that the ink cartridge in question is only in an appropriate one Counterpart trained bracket can be used.

With conventional office printers, this configuration is usually used to User wrong before using, that is, for the corresponding printer Unsuitable to protect ink cartridges are related to Franking machines, which also frequently work with such ink cartridges, further problems or requirements.

Franking machines generate the franking imprint on the letter to be sent or mailpiece usually with special, usually not on the open market available ink. This ink usually has a special color as well as often special fluorescence or other properties. On the one hand, this serves in addition, the mail carrier the rapid mechanical processing of large quantities by post through the use of such the recognition performance optical To facilitate detection systems of increasing ink. Another purpose of Using such special ink is to counterfeit franking imprints using conventional office printers.

Not least for the sake of reduced manufacturing costs Franking machines recently used ink cartridges in their geometry the ink cartridges for conventional office printers are the same and only with the mentioned special ink are filled. To insert into a conventional one Preventing office printers is, for example, according to European Patent Application No. 01103146.5 provided by the applicant, a projection in To provide a nose shape on the housing of the ink cartridge.

However, this solution has the disadvantage that the projection can be removed from the housing relatively easily, if necessary, so that the Ink cartridge can then be inserted into an appropriate office printer can.

The object of the present invention is therefore a consumption module to provide the type mentioned above, which reliably the Use of the consumption module in a device not intended for this purpose prevented.

This task is based on a consumption module according to the Preamble of claim 1 by the in the characterizing part of the claim solved a specified characteristics.

The present invention is based on the technical teaching that Use of the consumption module in a device not intended for this purpose can be reliably prevented in such a way that the connection elements trained and / or associated with the lead that they are in the unauthorized Removing the protrusion can be at least partially destroyed. This means that easily ensured that when removing the projection the Supply lines between the consumption module control and the Consumption device of the consumption module are at least partially capped and so that the proper operation of the consumption module after removing the Lead is prevented.

For this purpose, the connection elements can, for example, correspond with the Be mechanically connected so that they are destroyed or damaged, as soon as it is removed from the consumption module. The design and additionally or alternatively, the arrangement of the connection elements can be so be chosen so that they try to remove the projection be affected accordingly. It is only necessary to ensure that the Loads that usually affect the lead in normal operation its normal handling and when it is inserted into the associated holder act, still no destruction or impairment of the connection elements to lead.

With particularly simple designed and reliable acting variants of the Consumption module according to the invention provides that the connection elements run at least partially in sections on or in the projection. hereby it is ensured in a simple manner that the relevant connection elements actually be destroyed when removing the protrusion.

To prevent the interrupted connection elements after removing the Preferred bridging can be bridged easily in preferred developments of the consumption module according to the invention provided that the Connection elements at least partially in the area of the projection are arranged that between leading to the projection and from the projection leading sections of the connection elements one opposite the straight Assignment reversed assignment exists.

It is thereby achieved that a counterfeiter who takes a picture of the Control signal sequences for the consumer device that Consumption device of the consumption module not with these Control signal sequences can operate because it assigns the individual Control signals to the respective sections of the connection elements, which differ from Extend the area of the projection to the consumer device, does not know. In the case A counterfeiter can therefore use a franking machine as a result of this ignorance once recorded control sequence for a franking imprint none Generate reproductions of this franking imprint.

In further preferred variants of the consumption module according to the invention the connection elements are embedded in at least one conductive foil and the Projection is assigned to the conductor foil in such a way that the conductor foil during unauthorized removal of the projection with at least partial destruction of the Connecting elements is damaged.

For this purpose, the projection can, for example, be designed such that it has the conductor foil wholly or partially encompasses at least one connection element, so that the conductor foil and thus the connection element when removing the Projection is damaged, for example torn.

In the case of other preferred variants, which are simple to produce, the projection is at least in sections firmly connected to the conductor foil. This can for example, can be realized simply by at least the projection Is glued or welded in sections to the conductor foil.

In the case of favorable further developments of the consumption module according to the invention, in the projection a storage device for storing consumption module-related Information provided. This can be, for example Serial number and other identification information regarding the Consumption module and / or that contained in the consumption module Be consumable. Likewise, consumption-related information be stored, for example a quantity of the already removed Information representing the consumable medium.

In the case of an ink cartridge for a franking machine, for example, in addition to a serial number of the ink cartridge, the type and an expiration date of the ink be saved. Information regarding the above can also be provided reversed assignment of the areas of the connection elements before and after Be ahead. This can then be controlled by the associated Postage meter machine can be read out and then taken into account when actuated become. This makes it possible to print with different ink cartridges Assignment swaps to further increase the likelihood of fraud to reduce.

The invention can be used in connection with any consumption modules where it must be ensured that they are not in connection with devices are used for which they are not intended. Leaves particularly advantageous the invention mentioned in connection with franking machines use the consumption module as an ink cartridge for a franking machine is trained.

In the case of particularly advantageous variants of the Consumption module according to the invention has the projection to cooperate locking means provided with a locking device of the holder on. For this purpose, he can, for example, a simple paragraph or the like have, which cooperates with a corresponding bolt on the bracket.

The present invention further relates to an electronic device, in particular a franking machine, with a consumption module according to one of the previous claims.

Figur 1

einen schematischen Teilschnitt durch ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verbrauchsmoduls;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung des Verlaufs der Anschlusselemente im Bereich des Vorsprungs der Variante aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

einen schematischen Teilschnitt durch ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verbrauchs -moduls;

Figur 4

einen schematischen Teilschnitt durch die Ausführung aus Figur 3 entlang Linie IV-IV;

Figur 5

einen schematischen Teilschnitt durch ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verbrauchsmoduls.

Further preferred developments of the invention result from the subclaims or the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments which refer to the attached drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic partial section through a preferred embodiment of the consumption module according to the invention;

Figure 2

a schematic representation of the course of the connection elements in the region of the projection of the variant from Figure 1;

Figure 3

a schematic partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the consumption module according to the invention;

Figure 4

a schematic partial section through the embodiment of Figure 3 along line IV-IV;

Figure 5

a schematic partial section through another embodiment of the consumption module according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic partial section through an ink cartridge 1, which in the provided holder 2 of a franking machine sits.

The ink cartridge 1 has in a conductor foil 3 made of electrically insulating plastic embedded, electrically conductive first and second line sections 4 and 5. The first line sections 4 are at one end with contact elements 6 provided, the state shown, contact springy contacts 7, which are in turn connected to a printer controller 8 of the franking machine. The second line sections 5 are at one end with a consumer device the ink cartridge 1 in the form of a - schematically indicated print head 9 connected. This printhead is about a - also only schematically indicated - ink reservoir 10 supplied with ink.

On the ink cartridge 1, a projection in the form of a nose 11 is arranged, the End face 11.1 to 11.3 with a shoulder 12 and a latch 13 of the holder 2 cooperates to fix the ink cartridge 1 in the holder 2. It understands with other variants that other or other facilities for Fixation of the ink cartridge can be provided that is not with the nose interact.

Third line sections 14, which are electrically conductive, run in the nose 11 Connection between the first line sections 4 and the second Produce line sections 5 by a first contact area 15 of the first line sections 4 and a second contact area 16 of the second Contact line sections 5. Thus, in the state shown, the Connection between the printer controller 8 and the printhead 9 made.

The first, second and third line sections 4, 5 and 14 together form the electrical connection elements of the ink cartridge 1. If the nose 11, for example by breaking it down or sawing it down from the housing 1.1 to remove the ink cartridge 1, the third line sections 14 damaged or the contact between the first line sections 4 and second line sections 5 interrupted. In other words, this will the connection elements in question are destroyed, and the ink cartridge 1 can thus can no longer be operated.

In the example shown, run into the third line sections 14 and thus Part of the connection elements within the nose 1.1. However, it is understood that in other variants, the connection elements also run on the outside of the nose can. For example, it is possible for the conductor film to be in one piece trained connection elements runs outside on the nose.

The nose 11 is in the form of an anchoring pin 17 in via an anchoring means a recess in the form of a bore 18 in the housing 1.1 of the ink cartridge 1 anchored. This anchorage carries most of the mechanical stress, which are introduced into the ink cartridge via the fixation 12, 13. This is ensured that contact between the first and third Service sections 4 and 14 or between the second and third Line sections 5 and 14 is not affected during normal operation.

As can be seen from the schematic illustration in FIG. 2, takes place within the Nose 11 via the third line sections 14 one of the straight-line assignment different swapping of the assignment between the first Line sections 4 and the second line sections 5. For example the first contact area 15.1 of the first line section 4.1 is not - as is the case with the would correspond to a straightforward assignment - with the second contact area 16.1 of the second line section 5.1 connected but offset to it arranged second contact area 16.2 of the second line section 5.2.

A forger who has a tap on the contacts 7 of the Has control signal sequences for the print head 9, with which a franking imprint Could be generated, the print head 9th the ink cartridge 1 after removing the nose 11 not with this Operate control signal sequences, since it assigns the individual to the Contact elements 6 applied control signals to the respective second Line sections 5 of the connection elements does not know. So a counterfeiter can as a result of this ignorance with a control sequence once recorded for one Franking impression no reproductions of this franking impression with the Generate ink cartridge 1, which after removing the nose 11 in a conventional printer.

It goes without saying that the ink cartridge can be designed in this way in other variants can, in particular the nose can be arranged so that a tapping of the Control signals on the second line sections is not possible. This can for example, simply by having the nose in one area is arranged in which the second line sections are no longer freely accessible the surface of the ink cartridge.

It is further understood that the illustration in FIG. 2 is a exemplary, simplified representation. This applies in particular with regard to the number of connection elements. Commonly used ink cartridges have a significantly higher number of connection elements. Depending on the number the connecting elements involved in the exchange result different number of possible variations of the exchange. At n Connection elements result in n! Possibilities of exchange, so yes with a relatively small number of connection elements, a sufficiently large one Number of exchanges results for each ink cartridge of one type to be provided with an individual exchange pattern.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, there is also a storage device in the nose 11 embedded in the form of a chip 19, which corresponds to the first and third Line sections formed - not shown - connections with the Printer controller 8 is connected and thus read from it and additionally or can be described alternatively. In this chip 15 are next to one Ink cartridge 1 serial number and other encrypted information for the identification and authentication of the ink cartridge, which during or after the Inserting the ink cartridge into the franking machine are queried, including the type and an expiration date of the ink is stored in the ink reservoir 10. Furthermore can an area of the chip 19 by the printer controller 8 with information be described with regard to the fill level of the ink reservoir 10. All these Information is added in the broadest sense in the area of the franking machine used to ensure the proper operation of the franking machine.

The chip 19 also contains information relating to that described above Assignment of the first and second line sections 4 and 5, thus one Information regarding the assignment of the areas of the connection elements before and after the nose 11. This can then be read out by the printer controller 8 and then be taken into account for control. This enables the Ink cartridge 1 with the above individual assignment swaps to further reduce the likelihood of fraud.

Figures 3 and 4 show schematic partial sections through another preferred Execution of the consumption module according to the invention in the form of an ink cartridge 1 'for a franking machine.

In this variant, the connection elements 20 are formed in one piece also embedded in a conductor foil 3 'which is on the surface 1.2' of the Housing 1.1 'of the ink cartridge 1' is attached. Over a portion of the Conductive foil 3 'sits a nose 11', which ensures that the ink cartridge 1 'only in a specially designed bracket for an associated franking machine can be used.

The nose 11 'is glued to the conductor foil 3'. The gluing is like this formed that their strength over the strength of the conductor foil 3 ', at least but lies above the strength of the connection elements 20. The conductor foil 3 'remains thus stick to the nose 11 'when the nose 11' is removed from the ink cartridge 1 ' and the conductor foil 3 'or the connecting elements 20 are then reached when they are reached a tension that is above the relevant strength limit or destroyed.

In order to increase the probability of this effect occurring, the conductor foil 3 'is in the The area of the nose 11 'is not attached to the housing 1.1', so that it is removed the nose 11 'lifts from the housing 1.1' without resistance from the housing 1.1 '. This creates just in the areas of the conductor foil 3 'between the Areas that are connected to the nose or the housing, especially high voltages, so that the described damage or Destruction comes.

The conductor foil and the connection elements can also be used in other variants the area covered by the nose in terms of its mechanical strength be appropriately weakened to ensure that they are already at a relatively easy lifting or removing the nose from the housing destroyed become. It goes without saying that instead of the described bonding also another type of a correspondingly firm connection, for example one Welding can be selected.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the nose 11 'projects laterally beyond the conductor foil 3' and is there via anchors 17 'in corresponding recesses in the housing 1.1 'anchored. As in the execution, these anchorings are worn out Figure 1, the main proportion of mechanical stresses in normal operation act on the nose 11 '. This ensures that the conductor foil 3 'or Connection elements 20 not in normal operation or in normal handling be affected.

Figure 5 shows a schematic partial section through another preferred Embodiment, which in its basic structure from that Figures 3 and 4 are the same, so only the differences are dealt with here shall be.

The difference is that the fixed connection between the conductor foil 3 "with the connection elements 20" and the nose 11 "not by gluing is made. Instead, the conductor foil 3 "is through an eyelet-like opening 21 in the nose 11 "out.

Here too, the conductor film 3 "remains when the nose 11" is removed from the housing 1.1 " the ink cartridge 1 "connected to the nose 11" and the conductor foil 3 'or Connection elements 20 "are then reached when a voltage is above their strength limit lies, damaged or destroyed.

At this point it should be noted that the conductor foils and connection elements in the attached figures are shown only schematically. In particular, they are shown for the sake of clarity with thickness dimensions, which in can be far below the actual realization.

It goes without saying that the individual solutions of the variants described can be combined with one another as desired. In particular, too Figure 1 described subdivision of the connection elements into several Line section can also be used in the other variants.

Finally, it goes without saying that the connection elements are not necessarily in the conductor foils described must be embedded. they are just as good be embedded or arranged directly in the housing of the consumption module.

Claims (10)

Electrically operated consumption module for insertion into a holder (2) of an electronic device, in particular an ink cartridge for the printing device of a franking machine, with a consumption device (9), associated electrical connection elements (4, 5, 14; 20; 20 "), the contact elements ( 6) for connecting the consumption module (1; 1 '; 1 ") to a consumption module controller (8) of the device, and a projection (11; 11';11") provided for interacting with the holder to prevent insertion into other types of holders , characterized in that the connection elements (4, 5, 14; 20, 20 ") are designed and / or are assigned to the projection (11; 11 ';11") such that when the projection (11; 11' is unauthorized removed) ; 11 ") are at least partially destroyed. Consumption module according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection elements (4, 5, 14; 20, 20 ") run at least partially in sections on or in the projection (11; 11 ';11"). Consumption module according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection elements (4, 5, 14) are at least partially arranged in the region of the projection (11) in such a way that between sections (4, 4) leading to the projection (11) and away from the projection (11). 5) of the connection elements (4, 5, 14) there is an assignment reversed compared to the straight-line assignment. Consumption module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection elements (20, 20 ") are embedded in at least one conductor foil (3 ', 3") and the projection (11'; 11 ") of the conductor foil (3 ';3" ) is assigned in such a way that the conductor foil (3 '; 3 ") is damaged when the projection (11';11") is unauthorized and the connection elements (20; 20 ") are at least partially destroyed. Consumption module according to claim 4, characterized in that the projection (11 ', 11 ") is at least in sections firmly connected to the conductor foil (3';3"). Consumption module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the projection (11 ') is glued or welded to the conductor foil (3') at least in sections. Consumption module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a storage device (19) is provided in the projection (11) for storing information relating to consumption modules. Consumption module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as an ink cartridge (1; 1 ', 1 ") for a franking machine. Consumption module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projection (11) has locking means (11.1; 11.2; 11.3) provided for interacting with a locking device (12, 13) of the holder (2). Electronic device, in particular a franking machine, with a Consumption module (1; 1 '; 1 ") according to one of the preceding claims.

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