Replacement part with integral memory for usage and calibration data

• US 5,491,540 A
• Filed: 12/22/1994
• Issued: 02/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hirst, B. Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, MATTHEW S
• Application Number:
  US08/363,188
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 355/200, 355/203, 355/204, 355/207, 355/208, 355/210, 355/246, 355/282, 355/284, 355/260, 355/251, 355/206, 364/550, 364/525
• US Class Current: 399/12
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0855 the concentration being measured by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0863 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/105 Detection or control means for the toner concentration
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/55 Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/553 Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1652 Electrical connection means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1889 for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1639 for the fixing unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1663 having lifetime indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1838 Autosetting of process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A printer/copier apparatus is adapted to receive replacement parts that are subject to wear or which comprise a consumable that is employed during the printing/copying operation. The apparatus includes a first connector that is coupled to a processor which controls operation of the apparatus. A replaceable part includes a second connector which mates with the first connector. The replaceable part includes a serial access memory that is connected to the second connector by only a single wire. Data transfers are enabled both from and to the serial access memory to allow storage of data that is indicative of usage, calibration, or other data relating to the replaceable part. Usage of the single wire memory enables direct substitution of the serial access memory in place of a presently provided fuse, without requiring changes to the physical interface between the replaceable part and the connectors which enable mating of the replaceable part with the apparatus.

Claims

1. Apparatus for making marks on media sheets, said apparatus adapted to receive replaceable parts that are subject to wear or include a consumable that is employed during operation of said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

processor means for controlling said apparatus;

a receptacle for receiving a replaceable part;

first connector means associated with said one receptacle and coupled to said processor means; and

a replaceable part, juxtaposed to said receptacle and including a second connector means that mates with said first connector means, said replaceable part including a serial access memory that is connected to said second connector means by only a single wire, said processor means enabled thereby to both read and write data from and to said serial access memory, said serial access memory storing data at least indicative of usage of said replaceable part.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor means is controlled to periodically write updated usage data into said serial access memory so as to accurately reflect usage of said replaceable part.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said serial access memory further stores calibration data for said replaceable part, said processor means controlled to access said calibration data and to combine said calibration data with other data so as to enable the generation of control signals for said apparatus.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said serial access memory stores a serial number indicative of said replaceable part, said processor means including stored data which enables identification of said replaceable part upon a reading of said serial number from said serial access memory and a comparison thereof with said stored data.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said serial access memory is coupled to a fuser assembly and includes data regarding past usage history of an incorporated silicone oil supply, said processor means responding to said data regarding past usage history to modify a temperature of said fuser assembly upon determining that a transparency media sheet is to pass in contact therewith.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said serial access memory is coupled to a developer module and stores a parameter defining a charge-to-mass ratio of toner carrier contained within said developer module, said processing means employing said parameter to modify a setting of a further instrumentality in said apparatus to compensate for said charge-to-mass ratio parameter.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said serial access memory is coupled to a developer module and stores parameters defining a developer magnet strength and a distance between a surface of said developer module and a photoconducting drum, said processing means employing said parameters to enable adjustment of further parameters within said apparatus to compensate therefor.