Machine post-launch process optimization through wireless connected customer replaceable unit memory

• US 20030215245A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Silence, Scott M., Kreckel, Douglas A., Tabb, Charles H., Kanehl, Jane M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,865,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/8
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1889 for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage

Abstract

The present invention relates to utilizing memory provided in a machine replaceable sub-assembly to be a medium of distribution for software code updates to that machine relating as to how that machine should operate. In one alternative, there is provided a method for operating a machine comprising the steps of providing a replaceable sub-assembly separable from the machine, the replaceable sub-assembly further comprising a wireless interface and a memory in which is stored software code of executable instructions. The method further provides communicating via the wireless interface with the replaceable subassembly to store software code of executable instructions relating to the operation of the machine into the memory. The method then provides placing the replaceable sub-assembly into the machine, reading the memory, placing the stored software code of executable instructions into the machine as new machine software code, and then operating the machine in accordance with the new software code. In this way, the replaceable sub-assembly becomes the medium for the machine'"'"'s software updates.

Claims

1. A method for operating a machine comprising the steps of:

providing a replaceable sub-assembly separable from the machine, the replaceable sub-assembly further comprising a wireless interface, and a memory;

communicating via the wireless interface with the replaceable subassembly to store software code of executable instructions relating to the operation of the machine into the memory;

placing the replaceable sub-assembly into the machine;

reading the memory and placing the stored software code of executable instructions into the machine as new machine software code; and

,

operating the machine in accordance with the new software code.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the machine is a printing apparatus.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the replaceable sub-assembly is a CRU.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the memory is a non-volatile type of memory.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the memory is a CRUM.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the software code upgrade of executable instructions includes parameter arguments.

7. A replaceable sub-assembly for use in a machine comprising:

a memory;

a wireless interface; and

,

upgraded executable machine instruction suitable for directing the machine to operate in an upgraded fashion, where the upgraded executable machine instruction is communicated with the memory via the wireless interface.

8. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 7 wherein the replaceable subassembly is a CRU.

9. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 8 wherein the memory is a CRUM.

10. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 9 wherein the upgraded executable instruction includes parameter arguments.

11. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 9 wherein the upgraded executable instruction includes a look-up table.

12. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 9 wherein the upgraded executable instruction includes code to upgrade the GUI.

13. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 9 wherein the upgraded executable instruction provides a software bug fix to the machine.

14. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 9 wherein the machine is a color printing apparatus.

15. The replaceable sub-assembly of claim 14 wherein the upgraded executable instruction includes code to improve the color rendition capability of the color printing apparatus.

16. A method for operating a printer apparatus comprising the step of:

providing a customer replaceable unit separable from the printer apparatus, the customer replaceable unit further comprising a memory and wireless means, the memory having stored within a software code upgrade of executable instructions relating to upgraded operation of the printer apparatus; and

,

communicating via the wireless means the software code upgrade of executable instructions relating to upgraded operation to the printer apparatus.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the memory is a CRUM.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the software code upgrade of executable instructions provides a software bug fix to the printer apparatus operation.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the software code upgrade of executable instructions includes code to upgrade the GUI.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the software code upgrade of executable instructions includes code to improve the color rendition capability of the printing apparatus.