Storage of printing device usage data on a printing device replaceable component

• US 6,808,255 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Boockholdt, Darius, Harper, Mark A., Burquist, Joseph L., Rodriguez, Santiago, Christensen, K. Trent, Haines, Robert E., Phillips, Quintin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HUAN HUU
• Application Number:
  US09/479,958
• Time in Patent Office: 1,751 Days
• Field of Search: 347/32, 347/7, 347/5, 347/19, 347/86, 400/174, 340/568.1, 399/12, 399/24, 399/25, 399/26, 399/27, 399/81
• US Class Current: 347/86
• 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

A printing system utilizes memory integrated into a replaceable component to store printing device usage data. The manufacturer of the printing device retrieves the data when the component is returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

Claims

1. In a printing device having a replaceable component with component memory integrated therein, a method comprising:

identifying name brand information about at least one other replaceable component installed in the printing device; and

storing the name brand information in the component memory.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the component memory is radio frequency identification (RFID) memory, and wherein the storing is accomplished without requiring physical contact between the printing device and the component memory.

3. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the identifying and storing occurs each time the other replaceable component is replaced.

4. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the name brand information is identified and stored periodically during specified time periods at predetermined intervals.

5. A printing device comprising:

a first replaceable component installable therein and removable therefrom, the first replaceable component having component memory integrated therein;

a second replaceable component having a name brand;

a name brand identifier configured to identify the name brand of the second replaceable component; and

a storing device configured to store the name brand of the second replaceable component in the component memory of the first replaceable component.

6. The printing device recited in claim 5 wherein:

the component memory is radio frequency identification (RFID) memory;

the printing device further comprises an RFID interrogator configured to store the name brand of the second replaceable component in the component memory.

7. The printing device recited in claim 5 wherein the name brand of the second replaceable component is stored in the component memory a second time when the second replaceable component is replaced.

8. The printing device recited in claim 5 wherein the name brand of the second replaceable component is stored multiple times at a specified time intervals.

9. The printing device recited in claim 5 wherein the printing device is a laser printer.

10. A toner cartridge installable in and removable from a laser printer, the toner cartridge comprising memory that stores name brand information about one or more replaceable components in the laser printer received from a name brand identifier located in the laser printer.

11. The toner cartridge recited in claim 10 wherein the memory further comprises radio frequency identification (RFID) memory.

12. A replaceable printing device component installable in and removable from a printing device, the component comprising memory that stores name brand information about one or more replaceable components in the printing device, the name brand information received from a name brand identifier located in the printing device.

13. The replaceable printing device component recited in claim 12 wherein the name brand information about a particular replaceable component can be stored more than once in the component memory.

14. The replaceable printing device component recited in claim 12 wherein the component memory is radio frequency identification (RFID) memory.

15. The replaceable printing device component recited in claim 12 wherein the printing device component comprises a toner cartridge for a laser printer.