System and method for magnetic communication between replaceable unit and imaging device

A replaceable unit, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing consumable material and an outlet for exiting the consumable material from the reservoir;
• a rotatable shaft disposed inside the reservoir and positioned along a length of the housing;
• and
• one or more magnetic members disposed within the housing and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the one or more magnetic members generating a magnetic field and when rotating indicating information about the replaceable unit, the information being based upon a presence or absence of the one or more magnetic members relative to one or more predetermined locations for receiving a magnetic member within the housing,
• wherein the one or more predetermined locations comprise a plurality of redetermined locations that are disposed along at least one of a longitudinal direction, and angular direction and a radial direction relative to the shaft.

A replaceable unit, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing consumable material and an outlet for exiting the consumable material from the reservoir;
• a rotatable shaft disposed inside the reservoir and positioned along a length of the housing;
• one or more magnetic members disposed within the housing and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the one or more magnetic members generating a magnetic field and when rotating indicating information about the replaceable unit, the information being based upon a presence or absence of the one or more magnetic members relative to one or more predetermined locations for receiving a magnetic member within the housing;
• and
• one or more disk members coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith, wherein the one or more magnetic members are mounted to the one or more disk members.

An apparatus for supplying consumable material, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing the consumable material and an outlet for exiting the consumable material from the reservoir;
• a rotatable shaft disposed inside the reservoir;
• and
• one or more magnetic members coupled to the shaft within the housing so as to rotate therewith, the one or more magnetic members generating a magnetic field and when rotating indicating information relating to the apparatus, the information being based upon a presence or absence of the one or more magnetic members relative to one or more predetermined locations for receiving a magnetic member within the housing,
• wherein the one or more magnetic members comprises a plurality of magnetic members different from each other with respect to at least one of size and magnetic strength.

A replaceable unit, comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for storing consumable material and an outlet for exiting the consumable material from the reservoir;
• a rotatable shaft disposed inside the reservoir and positioned along a length of the housing;
• and
• one or more magnetic members disposed within the housing and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the one or more magnetic members generating a magnetic field and when rotating indicating information about the replaceable unit, the information being based upon a presence or absence of the one or more magnetic members relative to one or more predetermined locations for receiving a magnetic member within the housing,
• wherein the one or more magnetic members includes a plurality of magnetic members and the one or more predetermined locations comprises a plurality of predetermined locations within the housing.