Method and apparatus for identifying a sales channel

• US 6,494,562 B1
• Filed: 10/01/1999
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Haines, Robert E., Bullock, Michael L., Walker, Ray A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FEGGINS, KRISTAL J
• Application Number:
  US09/410,989
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 347/32, 347/19, 347/7, 347/20, 347/28, 347/29, 400/208, 399/8, 399/12, 399/24, 705/1, 705/26, 705/27, 705/29
• US Class Current: 347/32
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17509 Whilst mounted in the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• 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 21/181 Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1878 Electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00987 Remanufacturing, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the image forming apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1606 for the photosensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1639 for the fixing unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component is of the type sold through a plurality of sales channels. The replaceable printing component includes a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of a particular sales channel of a plurality of sales channels. Also included in the replaceable printing component is an electrical storage device for storing information indicative of the particular sales channel. The electrical storage device provides information indicative of the particular sales channel for reordering the replaceable printing component.

Claims

1. A replaceable printing component for use in a printing system, the replaceable printing component of the type sold through a plurality of sales channels, the replaceable printing component comprising:

a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of a particular sales channel of the plurality of sales channels; and

an electrical storage device for storing information indicative of the particular sales channel, wherein the electrical storage device provides the information indicative of the particular sales channel to a user of the replaceable printing component for replacing the replaceable printing component having the radio frequency link and the electrical storage device.

2. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the replaceable printing component includes a reservoir for containing marking material.

3. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the replaceable printing component is a toner cartridge for printing using an electrophotographic printing process.

4. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the replaceable printing component is an inkjet print cartridge.

5. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency link receives information in a serial fashion for storage in the electrical storage device.

6. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the electrical storage device is a semiconductor memory device.

7. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the information indicative of the particular sales channel includes at least one of reseller identification, intermediate channel identification and manufacturer identification information.

8. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the information indicative of the particular sales channel includes each of reseller identification, intermediate channel identification and manufacturer identification information.

9. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the information indicative of the particular sales channel is stored on the electrical storage device at a point of sale of the replaceable printing component.

10. A replaceable printing component for use in a printing system, the replaceable printing component comprising:

a housing; and

an electrical storage device coupled to the housing for storing information indicative of a reseller of the replaceable printing component, wherein the electrical storage device provides the information indicative of the reseller to a user of the replaceable printing component for replacing the replaceable printing component having the electrical storage device.

11. The replaceable printing component of claim 10, and further including:

a radio frequency link for receiving a radio frequency signal having information indicative of the reseller of the replaceable printing component.

12. The replaceable printing component of claim 11 wherein the electrical storage device and the radio frequency link are integral with a label that is attached to the housing of the replaceable printing component.

13. The replaceable printing component of claim 10 wherein the housing of the replaceable printing component includes a reservoir for containing marking material.

14. The replaceable printing component of claim 10 wherein the replaceable printing component is a toner cartridge for printing using an electrophotographic printing process.

15. The replaceable printing component of claim 10 wherein the replaceable printing component is an inkjet print cartridge.