Using a consumable component with an apparatus
OwnerJohn Westrum, Brad Moen +3inventors
InventorsJohn Westrum, Brad Moen, Richard Gawlik, John Smutek, Richard Hughes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A consumable component designed to be usable with an apparatus has a surface that includes a non-reflective area forming a predefined pattern in a reflective material. Electromagnetic energy reflected from the surface and read by the apparatus contains a predefined characteristic. The apparatus is programmed not to consume the consumable component if the reflected electromagnetic energy does not contain the predefined characteristic. A system that includes the consumable component and a reader is disclosed. So are methods of using a system and of designing a label and providing it on a consumable component.
Claims46
A system comprising:
- an apparatus capable of consuming a consumable component;
- and
- a reader that a) directs electromagnetic energy toward a surface of the consumable component that includes a non-reflective area forming a predefined pattern in a reflective material, b) receives reflected electromagnetic energy resulting therefrom, and c) determines whether the reflected electromagnetic energy contains a predefined characteristic, wherein the apparatus is programmed not to consume the consumable component if the reflected electromagnetic energy does not contain the predefined characteristic.
A consumable component designed to be usable with an apparatus, the consumable component having a surface that includes a non-reflective area forming a predefined pattern in a reflective material, wherein electromagnetic energy reflected from the surface and read by the apparatus contains a predefined characteristic and wherein the apparatus is programmed not to consume the consumable component if the reflected electromagnetic energy does not contain the predefined characteristic.
A method of using an apparatus that is capable of consuming a consumable component, the method comprising:
- directing electromagnetic energy toward a surface of the consumable component that includes a non-reflective area forming a predefined pattern in a reflective material;
- receiving reflected electromagnetic energy resulting therefrom;
- and
- determining whether the reflected electromagnetic energy contains a predefined characteristic, wherein the apparatus is programmed not to consume the consumable component if the reflected electromagnetic energy does not contain the predefined characteristic.
A method comprising:
- designing a label, the label including a non-reflective area that forms a predefined pattern in a reflective material, wherein electromagnetic energy reflected from the label contains a predefined characteristic;
- and
- providing the label on a consumable component designed to be usable with an apparatus that is programmed not to consume the consumable component if the reflected electromagnetic energy does not contain the predefined characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.