Storing printer density control parameters in cartridge memory

• US 20070154227A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Able, Douglas, Richardson, William, Wittennauer, Joel
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/12
• 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 2215/0697 being an electronically readable memory

Abstract

Data may be obtained in the form of a printer control density table from a memory within a replacement toner cartridge. The cartridge may include parity bits to ensure the accuracy of the data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a printer density control table in a memory associated with a toner cartridge; and

reading and parity checking the data from the cartridge after the cartridge is installed in a printer.

2. The method of claim 1 including providing a printer density control table from a memory associated with the toner cartridge, receiving a parity bit, calculating a data parity, and comparing the calculated data parity to the parity bit.

3. The method of claim 2 including sending an error message to a printer instead of a printer density control table entry when the calculated data parity does not match a parity bit received from the memory.

4. The method of claim 2 including storing an entire printer density control table in a toner cartridge and, upon receiving a read command, transferring the printer density control table to a printer.

5. The method of claim 2 including calculating data parity in the toner cartridge.

6. The method of claim 1 including providing information to the printer in response to a printer read request specifying the addresses of the requested data, said information including a confirmation and the requested data.

7. A toner cartridge comprising:

a controller;

a memory device coupled to said controller, said memory device storing a printer density control table; and

said controller to perform a parity check on the data in said memory device.

8. The toner cartridge of claim 7 wherein said controller to compare an externally received parity bit to a data parity calculated by said controller.

9. The toner cartridge of claim 7, said controller to receive a parity bit, calculate a data parity, and compare the calculated data parity to the received parity bit.

10. The toner cartridge of claim 9, said controller to transmit said printer density control table to a printer when said cartridge is installed in said printer and when the data passes the parity check.

11. The toner cartridge of claim 10, said controller to send an error signal to a printer when said parity check does not pass.

12. The toner cartridge of claim 7, said controller to provide said printer density control table to a printer in response to a read request from said printer.

13. A printer comprising:

a housing; and

a toner cartridge in said housing, said toner cartridge including a controller, a memory device coupled to said controller, said memory device storing a printer density control table, said controller to perform a parity check on data in said memory.

14. The printer of claim 13, said printer to provide a parity bit to said toner cartridge, said controller to compare said parity bit to a data parity calculated by said controller.

15. The printer of claim 13, said printer to provide a parity bit to said controller, said controller to calculate a data parity and compare the calculated data parity to the parity bit from said printer.

16. The printer of claim 15, said controller to transmit said printer density control table to said printer when said cartridge is installed in said printer and when said data passes the parity check.

17. The printer of claim 16, said controller to send an error signal to said printer when said parity check does not pass.

18. The printer of claim 13, said controller to provide said printer density control table to said printer in response to a read request from said printer.

19. The printer of claim 13, said printer to provide a read request to said memory device, said read request including the address of data to be read, a read command, and a parity flag.

20. The printer of claim 19 wherein said memory device to respond with a read response to said read request together with the requested data making up a printer density control table.