Thermal print head usage monitor and method for using the monitor

• US 10,315,438 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2016
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Hunsberger, Jr., Alvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lam S
• Application Number:
  US15/044,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20160159104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 347 9, 347 43, 347171, 717170
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/355 Control circuits for heating-element selection

Abstract

An example disclosed print head includes memory to store data associated with the print head; and a controller to encrypt a communication including the data stored in the memory, wherein the communication is to be transmitted from the print head to a device.

Claims

1. A print head comprising:

memory to store usage data associated with the print head; and

a controller to encrypt a communication including the usage data stored in the memory, wherein the encrypted communication is to be transmitted from the print head to a device.

2. A print head as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller requires a password prior to transmitting the usage data stored in the memory.

3. A print head as defined in claim 1, further comprising a print head driver circuit, wherein the usage data associated with the print head is obtained via the print head driver circuit.

4. A print head as defined in claim 1, wherein the device is an operating system in communication with the print head.

5. A print head as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is to encrypt the communication in response to a request from the device.

6. A print head as defined in claim 1, wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of an operation of the print head.

7. A print head as defined in claim 1, wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of a characteristic of the print head.

8. A print head as defined in claim 1, further comprising an interface wherein the encrypted communication is to be transmitted from the print head to the device via the interface.

9. A method, comprising:

storing usage data associated with a print head in memory, wherein the memory is integral with the print head;

encrypting, via a controller of the print head, a communication including the usage data stored in the memory; and

conveying the encrypted communication from the print head to a device.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, further comprising monitoring for an external request for the usage data stored in the memory.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the encrypting of the communication is performed in response to the external request.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the external request is received from the device.

13. A method as defined in claim 9, further comprising requiring a password prior to providing access to the usage data stored in the memory.

14. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of an operation of the print head.

15. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of a characteristic of the print head.

16. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the device is an operating system in communication with the print head.

17. A microcontroller implemented on a print head having memory integral with the print head, the microcontroller comprising:

a logic circuit configured to;

monitor an interface for an external request for printhead usage data stored in the memory; and

in response to receiving the external request, encrypt a data transmission including the printhead usage data stored in the memory prior to conveyance of the data transmission to a device.

18. A microcontroller as defined in claim 17, wherein the device is external to the print head.