US5283613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring system with dual memory for electrophotographic printing machines using replaceable cartridges
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1993-02-19
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Granted: 1994-02-01
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Expires: 2013-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A monitoring system for replaceable units, such as toner cartridges in an electrophotographic printer, includes on the unit an electronic count memory and an electronic flag memory. The count memory maintains a one-by-one count of prints made with the cartridge. The flag memory includes a series of bits which are alterable from a first state to a second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state. The bits in the flag memory are altered at predetermined intervals as prints are made with the cartridge. The flag memory is used as a check to override unauthorized manipulation of the count memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian G. Midgley, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1875; G03G21/1878; G03G21/1882; G03G15/00; G03G15/55; G03G15/553; G03G21/1889; G03G21/1892; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1663; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/1823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A replaceable unit relating to an output of a predetermined number of prints in an electrophotographic printer, comprising: a first memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain counting data relating to a cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; and a second memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, having a plurality of flags associated therewith, each flag being statable in one of a first state and a second state, each flag being alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A replaceable unit relating to an output of a predetermined number of prints in an electrophotographic printer, comprising: a first memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain counting data relating to a cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; and a second memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, having a plurality of flags associated therewith, each flag being statable in one of a first state and a second state, each flag being alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A unit as in claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit, comprising the first memory and second memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A unit as in claim 1, wherein the first memory comprises an EEPROM.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
A unit as in claim 1, further comprising a toner supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A unit as in claim 1, further comprising a photoreceptor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A unit as in claim 1, further comprising a third memory permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain a number related to a relationship between the cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit and the number of flags in a state in the second memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A monitoring system for a replaceable unit in an electrophotographic apparatus, the replaceable unit being adapted to relate to an output of a predetermined number of prints, comprising: a first memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain counting data relating to a cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; a second memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, having a plurality of flags associated therewith, each flag being statable in one of a first state and a second state, each flag being alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state; means for altering one flag in the second memory from the first state to the second state in response to a predetermined cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; and means for comparing counting data in the first memory and the number of flags in a predetermined state in the second memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A monitoring system for a replaceable unit in an electrophotographic apparatus, the replaceable unit being adapted to relate to an output of a predetermined number of prints, comprising: a first memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain counting data relating to a cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; a second memory, permanently associated with the replaceable unit, having a plurality of flags associated therewith, each flag being statable in one of a first state and a second state, each flag being alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state; means for altering one flag in the second memory from the first state to the second state in response to a predetermined cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit; and means for comparing counting data in the first memory and the number of flags in a predetermined state in the second memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, further comprising an integrated circuit comprising the first memory and second memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, further comprising means for revising the counting data in the first memory to be consistent with the number of flags in a predetermined state in the second memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, wherein the first memory comprises an EEPROM.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, wherein the replaceable unit comprises a toner supply.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, wherein the replaceable unit comprises a photoreceptor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A monitoring system as in claim 7, further comprising a third memory permanently associated with the replaceable unit, adapted to retain a number related to the predetermined cumulative output relating to the replaceable unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of monitoring a cumulative use of a replaceable unit relating to an output of a predetermined number of prints in an electrophotographic printer, comprising the steps of: changing a number stored in a first memory in accordance with the number of prints outputted; and altering one flag in a second memory from a first state to a second state when the predetermined number of prints are outputted, each flag in the second memory being selectably alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of monitoring a cumulative use of a replaceable unit relating to an output of a predetermined number of prints in an electrophotographic printer, comprising the steps of: changing a number stored in a first memory in accordance with the number of prints outputted; and altering one flag in a second memory from a first state to a second state when the predetermined number of prints are outputted, each flag in the second memory being selectably alterable from the first state to the second state but not alterable from the second state to the first state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of comparing the number in the first memory with a number of flags in a predetermined state in the second memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of revising a number stored in the first memory to be consistent with the predetermined number of prints outputted causing a flag in the second memory to be altered.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-08-02 | 1998-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-31 | 2001-08-02 | 2002-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-31 | 2005-08-02 | 2006-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |