Method and apparatus for a printer cartridge tester

• US 7,665,819 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tonerhead Incorporated
• Inventors: Nicodem, Harry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meier; Stephen D
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARTINEZ, CARLOS A
• Application Number:
  US11/379,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 347/19, 347/84, 347/85, 347/86, 701/33, 702/120, 399/24
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17559 Cartridge manufacturing

Abstract

A handheld device for testing printer cartridges interfaces with a computer for processing of test results. 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. The device may obtain 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. The application may present a pass/fail indication to a user and tally the number of passed/failed cartridges. The device for testing printer cartridges may include a sensor for detecting cartridge information and a computer program for altering the cartridge identification.

Claims

1. In a handheld device for testing printer cartridges, a method comprising:

establishing communication with a computer coupled to the handheld device;

detecting a printer cartridge coupled to the handheld device;

testing the printer cartridge to provide test results, including tests from the group consisting of fill level, test patterns, and circuit/nozzle heater integrity; and

providing the test results to the computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing an indicator corresponding to a communication status between the handheld device and the computer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a type of the printer cartridge, wherein testing of the printer cartridge is based at least in part upon the type of the printer cartridge.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein testing the printer cartridge further comprises testing at least one nozzle of the printer cartridge.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the computer, a request to retest the printer cartridge;

retesting the printer cartridge to provide retest results; and

providing the retest results to the computer.

6. In a computer, a method for testing printer cartridges, the method comprising:

establishing communication with a handheld device, coupled to the computer, for testing printer cartridges;

receiving, from the handheld device, test results corresponding to a coupled printer cartridge tested by the device said test results including tests from the group consisting of fill level, test patterns and circuit/nozzle heater integrity; and

displaying the test results.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

initiating an application for interfacing with the handheld device and for displaying the test results.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, via an input device, a request to retest the printer cartridge from a user of the computer;

sending the request to retest to the handheld device;

receiving retest results from the handheld device; and

displaying the retest results.

9. In a handheld device for testing printer cartridges, the handheld device comprising a computer interface, a method comprising:

establishing communication with an external computer coupled to the handheld device via the computer interface;

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 via the computer interface.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing an indicator corresponding to a communication status between the handheld device and the computer.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining a type of the printer cartridge, wherein testing of the printer cartridge is based at least in part upon the type of the printer cartridge.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein testing the printer cartridge further comprises testing at least one nozzle of the printer cartridge.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, from the computer, a request to retest the printer cartridge;

retesting the printer cartridge to provide retest results; and

providing the retest results to the computer.

14. In a computer, a method for testing printer cartridges with a handheld device having a computer interface, the method comprising:

establishing communication with the handheld device via the computer interface, coupled to the computer, for testing printer cartridges;

receiving, from the handheld device via the computer interface, test results corresponding to a coupled printer cartridge tested by the device; and

displaying the test results.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

initiating an application for interfacing with the device and for displaying the test results.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving, via an input device, a request to retest the printer cartridge from a user of the computer;

sending the request to retest to the handheld device via the computer interface;

receiving retest results from the handheld device via the computer interface; and

displaying the retest results.