Method and apparatus for a printer cartridge tester
First Claim
1. A device for testing printer cartridges comprising:
- a handheld housing;
a base board having a host processor in communication with a computer interface; and
an adaptor board, in electrical 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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A device for testing printer cartridges comprising:
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a handheld housing;
a base board having a host processor in communication with a computer interface; andan adaptor board, in electrical 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a handheld device for testing printer cartridges, the handheld device having a base board and an adaptor board in electrical communication with the base board having a socket configured to receive a printer cartridge, a method comprising:
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establishing communication with a computer coupled to the handheld device; detecting the printer cartridge coupled to the handheld device; testing the printer cartridge to provide test results; and providing the test results to the computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for testing printer cartridges with a computer, the method comprising:
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establishing communication with a handheld device having a base board and an adaptor board, having a socket configured to receive a printer cartridge, in electrical communication with the base board, coupled to the computer, for testing printer cartridges; receiving, from the handheld device, test results corresponding to a printer cartridge tested by the handheld device; and displaying the test results. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A handheld device for testing printer cartridges comprising:
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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; 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 logic and capable of providing communications between the device and a computer, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic comprises; a base board having a host processor in communication with the computer interface; and an adaptor board, in electrical communication with the base board, comprising the socket and a test circuitry in communication with the socket and the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An inkjet cartridge testing system for testing printer cartridges, comprising:
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a computing device including computer readable media for testing the printer cartridges and displaying test results; a testing device comprising a handheld housing and a socket associated with the handheld 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 handheld housing, in communication with the plurality of electrical contacts; and a computer interface, disposed in the handheld housing, in communication with the printer cartridge testing logic and capable of providing communications between the testing device and the computing device, wherein the printer cartridge testing logic comprises; a base board having a host processor in communication with the computer interface; and an adaptor board, in electrical communication with the base board, comprising the socket and a test circuitry in communication with the socket and the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An adaptor board for testing an ink jet printer cartridge comprising:
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a socket, associated with a handheld housing, for receiving an ink jet printer cartridge; test circuitry for providing test signals to and obtaining test results from the ink jet printer cartridge; and a connector capable of electrically and removably coupling the adaptor board to a base board, wherein the adaptor board must be electrically coupled to the base board to test the ink jet printer cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification