Electrophotography – Diagnostics – Unit or part identification
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-12-18
Braun, Fred L. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Diagnostics
Unit or part identification
C399S024000, C399S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332062
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention generally relates to replaceable components installable into printing devices, and more particularly, to printing device components having a memory.
BACKGROUND
Most types of printing devices are equipped with replaceable components that have a life cycle during which the replaceable components are functional. Such replaceable components include toner cartridges, ink cartridges, fusers, drums, etc. At the end of the life cycle of a replaceable component, the component must be replaced for the printing device to continue to function properly. Typically, a new replaceable component is ordered from a vendor to replace the component currently being used.
For example, a toner cartridge is installed in a laser printer to provide toner for the printing process. As documents are printed, the toner supply is gradually depleted. When the toner supply is completely exhausted, the printer cannot print any further documents until the toner cartridge is replaced. At this time, a replacement toner cartridge must be ordered from a toner cartridge vendor to replace the used toner cartridge.
A printer user has many toner cartridge vendors from which to choose when purchasing a toner cartridge to replace a depleted toner cartridge. Not only can the user purchase a toner cartridge from the printer manufacturer or an authorized reseller, but there are toner cartridges available from many vendors who remanufacture toner cartridges. Remanufacturing toner cartridges consists of taking a depleted toner cartridge and restoring it by replenishing the toner supply and replacing some deteriorated parts.
Because of the competitive nature of the market for toner cartridges, manufacturers, resellers and remanufacturers seek any opportunity to reach printer users with advertisements for their products and services. Many advertising avenues are used by vendors to advertise to potential customers. Vendors place advertisements in catalogues, magazines, trade journals, etc. Unfortunately, these advertising avenues only reach a small percentage of the target audience. In addition, the advertisements may be included with similar advertisements by competitors, which can diminish the effect of the advertisement.
Toner cartridges and other replaceable printer components can be manufactured with memory which can be placed on the cartridge itself or within a label affixed to the cartridge. This memory is typically used to store printer-related data that the printer reads to determine various printing parameters. For example, the memory may store the model number of the cartridge so that the printer may recognize the cartridge as valid or invalid for use with that printer. The present invention contemplates utilizing this memory to provide direct messaging to printer users.
SUMMARY
Toner cartridges and other replaceable printer components can be equipped with a memory. This memory can be utilized to provide direct messaging to a printer user which affords the manufacturer of the replaceable component an excellent opportunity to reach every customer directly and greatly increases the likelihood of retaining the customer's business. One-time messaging, however, is inflexible and provides only a single message which is delivered to the user at one given time.
The present invention contemplates a printing system that provides dynamic messaging to printing device users by storing user message data in memory located on a replaceable component that is installable into the printing device. Multiple user messages are displayed to the user based on the occurrence of predetermined and/or user-determined trigger events.
This memory may also be utilized by a vendor to store the vendor's telephone number or Universal Resource Locator (URL) so the vendor can be automatically contacted by the user. This is not only a convenience for the user, but it provides the vendor that sold the toner cartridge to the user with an excellent advantage over competitors in marketing subsequent toner cartridges to the user.
The present invention contemplates utilizing such memory to store user message data from which multiple user messages may be derived upon the occurrence of certain trigger events. The trigger events may be predefined events designated at the time of manufacture, or they may be designated at a later time by the user or a vendor. The user message data may comprise the complete electronic representation of the messages. Alternatively, the user message data may comprise message identifiers that identify various messages that are stored in memory external to the cartridge, such as in the printing device or at a website on the Internet.
For example, a first user message may be designed to be displayed to the user when the replaceable component is initially installed, and a second user message may be designed to be displayed to the user when the replaceable component is nearing the end of its functional life cycle. The actual messages may be contained the component memory or in a table in printer memory. A first message is stored on the component memory, or a first message identifier is stored on the component memory and corresponds to the first user message in memory external to the component. A second message is stored on the component memory, or a second message identifier is stored on the component memory and corresponds to the second user message in memory external to the component.
When the replaceable component is initially installed, a detector detects that installation as the trigger event for the first user message. The first user message is retrieved and is displayed to the user. When the second trigger event is detected, the second user message is retrieved and is displayed to the user.
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Baumunk Mary B.
Boockholdt Darius
Haines Robert E.
Heusinkveld Jake
Phillips Quintin T.
Braun Fred L.
Hewlett--Packard Company
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