US 6,474,771 B2 · Printer ink cartridge management system

Abstract

A developer unit having a memory, and a method of operating an image forming apparatus adopting the same are provided. The developer unit is provided with a developer information module in which various data associated with the management of the developer unit and the developer is stored. Thus, the engine of the image forming apparatus understands the characteristics of the developer by itself by using the developer information module to perform an optimal control suitable for the developer, thereby obtaining a highest printing quality even when the developer is changed. Also, information associated with the developer and the developer unit, e.g. the manufacturing company, recharging company, shelf life, etc. of the developer and the developer unit, can be efficiently managed. Furthermore, the use of inferior goods such as imitations or counterfeits can be prevented.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A printing apparatus being configured to receive at least one ink cartridge for storing and dispensing ink, said at least one ink cartridge having disposed thereon an ink cartridge information module, said ink cartridge information module having stored thereon ink cartridge management information, and an ink level detector, said ink level detector detecting amount of said ink remaining in said at least one ink cartridge, said apparatus comprising:

a control circuit portion configured to communication with said ink cartridge information module and said ink level detector, said control circuit portion being configured to at least one of delete and modify at least a portion of said ink cartridge management information when said ink level detector indicates that said amount of said ink remaining in said at least one ink cartridge is below a predetermined level;
wherein said at least a portion of said ink cartridge management information indicates at least one of authenticity and suitability of said ink cartridge.

A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a set of instructions implementing a method of operating an image forming apparatus configured to receive an ink cartridge for storing and dispensing ink, said ink cartridge comprising an ink cartridge information module configured to store therein ink cartridge information regarding at least one of said ink cartridge and said ink, said set of instructions comprising one or more instructions for:

determining whether an amount of said ink remaining in said ink cartridge is less than predetermined amount;
and
at least one of deleting and modifying at least a portion of said information regarding said at least one of said ink cartridge and said ink to indicate that said at least one of said cartridge and said ink is not suitable for use in said image forming apparatus if it is determined that said amount of developer remaining in said developer unit is less than a predetermined amount.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Printer ink cartridge management system

Life of this patent

Printer ink cartridge management system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19