Method and Apparatus for a Printer Cartridge Tester

• US 20070109340A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Inventors: Nicodem, Harry
• Granted Patent: US 7,665,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17559 Cartridge manufacturing

Abstract

A handheld device for testing printer cartridges that interfaces with a computer for processing of test results is provided. Multiple testing devices may be coupled to the computer. In one embodiment, each testing device includes a base board and an adaptor board. The base board includes a host processor and a computer interface. The adaptor board comprises a cartridge-specific socket for retaining a printer cartridge to be tested and test circuitry. The adaptor boards may be interchanged. In another embodiment, the device obtains power from the computer interface. A computer program communicates with the test device and displays the results of the tests through execution of a suitable application or program. In a presently preferred embodiment, the application presents a pass/fail indication to a user and tallies the number of passed/failed cartridges. In yet another embodiment, the device for testing printer cartridges includes a sensor for detecting cartridge information and a computer program for altering the cartridge identification.

Claims

1. A device for testing printer cartridges, each cartridge having a circuit with cartridge identification information connected to a plurality of print nozzles and to a plurality of contact pads for interfacing between the testing device and the cartridge, said device comprising:

a base board having a host processor in communication with a computer interface;

an adaptor board, in communication with the base board, having a socket configured to receive a printer cartridge and test circuitry in communication with the socket and the host processor;

a plurality of electrical contacts, in communication with the test circuitry, disposed in the socket and positioned to establish electrical communication with corresponding pads of the printer cartridge;

a cartridge detection switch, in communication with the test circuitry, disposed in the socket and positioned to be actuated by the printer cartridge;

a sensor for detecting the cartridge identification information and the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge; and

a computer program for selectively altering the cartridge identification information so as to override an empty reading by said sensor when recycled cartridges are placed in said device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device receive power input via the computer interface.

4. An inkjet cartridge testing system for testing printer cartridges, comprising:

a computing device including computer readable media for testing the printer cartridges and displaying test results;

a testing device comprising a housing and a socket associated with the housing, the socket sized and shaped to receive a printer cartridge;

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in the socket and positioned to establish electrical communication with corresponding pads of the printer cartridge;

printer cartridge testing logic, disposed in the housing, in communication with the plurality of electrical contacts; and

a computer interface, disposed in the housing, in communication with the printer cartridge testing circuitry and capable of providing communications between the device and a computer

a sensor for detecting the cartridge identification information and the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge; and

a computer for selectively altering the cartridge identification information so as to override an empty reading by said sensor when recycled cartridges are placed in said device.

3. The device of claim 5, wherein the computer interface comprises a USB interface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic further comprises:

a base board having a host processor in communication with the computer interface; and

an adaptor board, in communication with the base board, comprising the socket and test circuitry in communication with the socket and the host processor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic further comprises:

a cartridge detection switch, in communication with the test circuitry, disposed in the socket and positioned to be actuated by the printer cartridge.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer interface comprises a USB interface.

8. In a device for testing printer cartridges, a method comprising:

establishing communication with a computer coupled to the device;

detecting a printer cartridge coupled to the device;

testing the printer cartridge to provide test results, including tests from the group consisting of fill level, test patterns, and circuit/nozzle heater integrity; and

providing the test results to the computer.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing an indicator corresponding to a communication status between the device and the computer.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining a type of the printer cartridge, wherein testing of the printer cartridge is based at least in part upon the type of the printer cartridge.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein testing the printer cartridge further comprises testing at least one nozzle of the printer cartridge.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, from the computer, a request to retest the printer cartridge;

retesting the printer cartridge to provide retest results; and

providing the retest results to the computer.

13. In a computer, a method for testing printer cartridges, the method comprising:

establishing communication with a device, coupled to the computer, for testing printer cartridges;

receiving, from the device, test results corresponding to a printer cartridge tested by the device said test results including tests from the group consisting of fill level, test patterns and circuit/nozzle heater integrity; and

displaying the test results.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

initiating an application for interfacing with the device and for displaying the test results.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, via an input device, a request to retest the printer cartridge from a user of the computer;

sending the request to retest to the device;

receiving retest results from the device; and

displaying the retest results.

16. A device for testing printer cartridges comprising:

a housing;

a socket, associated with the housing, configured to receive a printer cartridge;

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in the socket and positioned to establish electrical communication with corresponding pads of the printer cartridge;

a printer cartridge testing logic, disposed in the housing, in communication with the plurality of electrical contacts;

a computer interface, disposed in the housing, in communication with the printer cartridge testing circuitry and capable of providing communications between the device and a computer;

a sensor for detecting a cartridge identification information and the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge; and

a computer program for selectively altering the cartridge identification information so as to override an empty reading by said sensor when recycled cartridges are placed in said device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic further comprises:

a base board having a host processor in communication with the computer interface; and

an adaptor board, in communication with the base board, comprising the socket and test circuitry in communication with the socket and the host processor.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic further comprises:

a cartridge detection switch, in communication with the test circuitry, disposed in the socket and positioned to be actuated by the printer cartridge.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the computer interface comprises a USB interface.