Methods and systems for providing firmware to a printing device

• US 20050008376A1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Sesek, Robert, Parry, Travis J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,043,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/24
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/50 Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control sequencing control G03G21/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00088 by using information from an external support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4415 Self describing peripheral devices

Abstract

A method of providing firmware for a printing device includes attaching a memory module storing the firmware to a printing device consumable.

Claims

1. A method of providing firmware for a printing device, said method comprising attaching a memory module storing said firmware to a printing device consumable.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

installing said printing device consumable in said printing device; and

interfacing said printing device and said memory module.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising uploading said firmware from said memory module to a memory of said printing device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising executing said firmware with a controller of said printing device.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising uploading a firmware interface to a memory of said printing device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising executing said firmware on said memory module through said firmware interface.

7. A method for executing firmware components from a printing device, said method comprising:

storing said firmware components on a memory module;

attaching said memory module to a printing device consumable;

installing said printing device consumable with attached memory module in a printing device; and

uploading part or all of said firmware components to a printing device memory.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said printing device consumable comprises a toner cartridge.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said uploading part or all of said firmware components to printing device memory comprises:

determining if previous interfering firmware components already exist in said printing device memory; and

uploading said firmware components to printing device memory if no previous interfering firmware components are found.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said uploading part or all of said firmware components to printing device memory comprises:

determining if previous interfering firmware components already exist in said printing device memory; and

performing a replacement action if previous interfering firmware components are found.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said performing a replacement action requires an administration setting, password, or other form of authentication.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said performing a replacement action comprises comparing a version of firmware in said printing device memory with a version of firmware in said memory module.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said uploading part or all of said firmware components to printing device memory comprises evaluating compatibility of said firmware components with said printing device.

14. A method for executing firmware code for a printing device using a printing device consumable, said method comprising:

storing firmware code on a memory module;

attaching said memory module to a printing device consumable;

installing said printing device consumable with attached memory module in a printing device; and

uploading a firmware interface for said firmware code to a printing device memory.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said printing device consumable comprises a toner cartridge.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising accessing said firmware code on said memory module through said firmware interface.

17. A method of customizing firmware components for use by a printing device, said method comprising:

receiving information from a purchaser of a printing device consumable;

storing said information with firmware components on a memory module attached to said printing device consumable.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing said printing device consumable with said memory module to said purchaser.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said receiving said information from a purchaser comprises receiving said information through a terminal at a consumables sales facility.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said receiving said information from a purchaser comprises receiving said information from said purchaser through a computer network.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.

22. A consumable for use with a printing device, said consumable comprising:

a printing device consumable;

a memory module attached to said printing device consumable; and

firmware components stored on said memory module.

23. The consumable of claim 22, further comprising a wireless interface for said memory module for interfacing and communicating with a printing device.

24. The consumable of claim 23, wherein said wireless interface comprises a radio frequency interface.

25. The consumable of claim 23, wherein said wireless interface comprises an infrared interface.

26. The consumable of claim 22, further comprising a wired interface for said memory module for interfacing and communicating with a printing device.

27. The consumable of claim 22, wherein said firmware components comprises firmware code and a firmware interface for allowing access and use of said firmware code on said memory module.

28. A printing device that allows access and use of firmware components stored on a memory module attached to a printing device consumable comprising:

a printing device controller;

a printing device memory; and

a printing device interface disposed and configured to interface and communicate with said memory module attached to a printing device consumable supplied to said printing device.

29. The printing device of claim 28, wherein said printing device interface comprises a wireless interface.

30. The printing device of claim 29, wherein said wireless interface comprises a radio frequency interface.

31. The printing device of claim 29, wherein said wireless interface comprises an infrared interface.

32. The printing device of claim 28, wherein said printing device interface comprises a wired interface.

33. The printing device of claim 28, further comprising a user interface for controlling said printing device.

34. The printing device of claim 28, wherein said memory module comprises firmware components stored thereon.