摘要:
A method and apparatus for indicating a part number for a consumable to be used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include generating a pre-printed label that includes one or more potential part numbers for the consumable with an indication area proximate to the one or more potential part numbers, the indication area including reactive material, attaching the preprinted label on packaging for the consumable, determining a desired part number from the one or more potential part numbers for the consumable, and indicating the desired part number for the consumable by activating the reactive material proximate to the desired part number.
摘要:
A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.
摘要:
An intelligent on-board monitoring system for replaceable module for a printing apparatus includes a memory element, an input for receiving information either from sensors on the replaceable module, or from the printing apparatus concerning printing operations performed, and a microprocessor connected to the memory for performing calculations upon data stored in the memory and upon the input information. By expanding this intelligent on-board monitoring system with expanded memory, either on board the replaceable module, or by way of network access, the capability to enable software upgrades is provided. The software upgrades may relate to the performance of the replaceable module or to the machine into which it is installed. These software upgrades may be accomplished without requiring computational resources of the printing apparatus itself and by proper scheduling without impacting customer machine utilization.
摘要:
A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna elements and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.
摘要:
A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.
摘要:
A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink priming apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.
摘要:
An adapter suitable for installation in a machine in place of a customer replaceable unit monitor having a first interface format is described herein. Upon installation of the adapter in the machine, the adapter enables data communication between the machine and a customer replaceable unit monitor having a second interface format that is different than the first interface format. The first and second interface formats may include one or more of: configuration of an electrical interface of the customer replaceable unit monitor, configuration of a mechanical interface of the customer replaceable unit monitor, and configuration of data input to and output from the customer replaceable unit monitor. The adapter may be attached to a module before the module is installed in the machine to simplify installation of the adapter. The adapter may remain attached to the machine when the module is removed from the machine to allow the machine to communicate with other customer replaceable unit monitors having the second interface format. The second customer replaceable unit monitor may include a microprocessor and non-volatile memory disposed in a common package.
摘要:
A memory device authentication method that includes providing a memory device in a host device, and providing both an encryption algorithm, triggering the encryption algorithm during writing of data in the memory device, wherein the encryption algorithm allters the written data and generates a device altered data, then storing the written data in the memory device, running the encryption algorithm in the host device on the data written in the memory device and generating a host altered data, the verifying authenticity of the memory device by comparing the device altered data and the host alerted data. An authentication device and associated system that includes a host device that comprises a unit, a first encryption algorithm that is stored in the host device, and a second encryption algorithm, identical to the first encryption algorithm, that is permanently stored in a memory of the unit.
摘要:
By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) in an arrangement of a master key system operation key (SOK) plus any subsequently installed SOK to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At the initial install of either SOK type the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. If the SOK type is a subsequently installed SOK, the option code(s) from the subsequently installed SOK are written to the master key SOK. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match. A new swapped in SOK can be installed so long as the NVM serial number location has not been previously written to with a conflicting identification number. The machine will then write the serial number to the new SOK thereby protecting it.
摘要:
An RFID bridge antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with a tag and a reader antenna associated with a reader. The bridge includes at least two RF antenna elements spaced apart from one another and coupled together by an electrical conductor. The first RF antenna element is located proximate to the tag antenna and the second RF antenna element is located proximate to the reader antenna. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna element and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader. The object may be a module, also known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU), and the tag may be configured as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM). The module may take the form of a container having a closure cap equipped with a tag and the container may be stored in a cabinet along with an RFID bridge antenna mounted on the cabinet door to establish data communication between the tag and a reader.