DE10042914A1 - Dynamic provision of messages when using replaceable components of copier, printer, facsimile, provides manufacturer's details to user - Google Patents

Abstract

Replaceable unit e.g. toner cassette (32) has label with manufacturer's name and date and RFID memory label (36). Printer (30) has interrogator (52) for non-contact reading of RFID label. Different messages are provided according to release events e.g. when cassette first placed in printer, activation of toner low signal etc., events detected by detector (64) in printer and shown on user interface (60) or on computer screen (70).

Description

The present invention relates generally to replacements bare components that are installed in printing devices can, and more specifically on printing device components with a memory.

Most types of printing devices are replaced with equipable components that have a life cycle point during which the replaceable components function are capable. Such replaceable components include toners cartridges, ink cartridges, developers, drums, etc. Am End of the life cycle of a replaceable component must the component to be replaced to allow the printing device can continue to work properly. Typically one ordered new replaceable components from a supplier, to replace the component currently in use.

For example, a toner cartridge is in a laser printer built in to provide toner for the printing process. If Th documents are printed, the toner supply is discharged gradually. When the toner supply is completely exhausted, you can the printer will not print any more documents until the toner cartridge is replaced. At this point, a Replacement toner cartridge from a toner cartridge supplier to replace the used toner cartridge.

A printer user can supply from many toner cartridges when buying a toner cartridge, select to replace the empty toner cartridge. The user cannot only one toner cartridge from the printer manufacturer or one buy authorized dealers, but they are toner cartridges Available from many suppliers, the toner cartridges again prepare. A reprocessing of toner cartridges  is composed in such a way that an empty toner cartridge and the same by refilling the toner is replenished and certain worn parts be replaced.

Due to the competitive nature of the toner market cassettes are looking for manufacturers, dealers and refurbishers every way to provide printer users with advertisements for their To achieve products and services. Many advertising are used by suppliers to identify potential To attract customers. Suppliers place advertisements in Ka talogenes, magazines, trade newspapers etc. Unfortunately these advertising channels only reach a small pro percentage of target audience. In addition, the advertisements with similar advertisements by competitors, which can reduce the effect of advertising.

Toner cartridges and other replaceable printer components can NEN be made with a memory that is on the cassette te itself or within a label (tag) attached to the Cassette is attached, can be placed. This Memory is typically used to be printer related Store data that the printer reads in various ways To determine printing parameters. For example, the Store the production number of the cassette, see above that the printer considers the cartridge valid or not valid regarding use with the printer. The present invention is based on using this Memory to send a direct message To deliver printer users.

The object of the present invention is a To create methods and devices that allow in the case of printing devices, notifications to one Output users.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and Devices according to claim 8 or 16 fulfilled.  

Toner cartridges and other replaceable printer components can be equipped with a memory. That memory can be used to send a direct message delivery to a printer user who is responsible for the Excellent replaceable component manufacturers Offers the opportunity to reach every customer directly and the Probability of maintaining customer business greatly increased. A one-time message transmission (One Time Messaging) is inflexible and only provides one unique notification to the user on a particular Time is supplied.

The present invention is based on a printing device from a dynamic messaging to Be users of printing devices supplies by users message data are stored in a memory which is arranged on a replaceable component which in the Printing device can be installed. Multiple users Messages are sent to the user based on the occurrence of predetermined and / or user-defined triggers events displayed.

This memory can also be used by a supplier be det to the phone number or the universal Resource locator (URL; URL = Universal Resource Locator) of the supplier so that the supplier can be saved by the User can be contacted automatically. This poses not just comfort for the user, but it delivers to the supplier who sends the toner cartridge to the Be users sold, an excellent advantage over Competitors for a distribution of the following Toner cartridges to the user.

The present invention is based on the use of a such memory to store user notification data save, of which several user messages to the Occurrence of certain triggering events  that can. The trigger events can be predefined Events to be determined at the time of manufacture can be, or the same, at a later time determined by the user or a supplier become. The user notification data can be the complete have electronic representation of the messages. Dude natively, the user notification data may contain notification ids have identifiers that identify different messages ficate in a memory outside the cassette stores, such as in the printing device or on a web page of the Internet.

For example, a first user message can be designed to be shown to the user when the replace bare component is initially installed while a second user notification may be intended to the Be to be displayed to users when the replaceable compo nente is approaching the end of its functional life. That did Substantial messages can be stored in the component memory or be included in a table of printer memory. A first message is stored in the component memory chert, or a first message identifier is in the Component memory saved and corresponds to the first User message in the memory outside the component. A second message is in the component memory stores, or a second message identifier is in stored in the component memory and corresponds to the second user message in a memory outside the Component.

When the replaceable component is initially installed, A detector detects this installation as the trigger event for the first user notification. The first User notification is regained and the user displayed. When the second trigger event is detected, the second user message is recovered and the Users displayed.  

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited to the figures in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for reference same components and / or features used.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying Drawings explained in more detail. Show it:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a laser printer;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a laser printer toner cartridge;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a printing system;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of dynamic messaging using a memory in the printer components;

Fig. 5 is a diagram of a method of transmitting notification, stores the messages in a user component storage; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a method of transmitting notification, stores the user messages in a memory external to the component.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a laser printer 30, to which the present invention may be implemented. The invention may also be implemented in other units using printing devices such as scanners, scanners, photocopiers, facsimile devices, and the like. For purposes of explanation, the invention is described in the context of laser printers.

In FIG. 2, a toner cartridge 32 is shown that can be incorporated into the laser printer 30. The toner cartridge 32 has a label 34 that contains information that identifies the toner cartridge 32 for a user. The label 34 typically indicates the name of the manufacturer, the manufacturing number of the cassette, etc. Although the invention is shown and described herein as a toner cartridge for a laser printer, it should be noted that the invention is considered as any replaceable component (toner cartridge, ink cartridge, developer, drum, etc.) used in a printing device (printer, copier, fax machine etc.) can be installed, can be executed.

A storage label 36 is disposed under the label 34 on the toner cartridge 32 , although the storage label 36 can be placed anywhere on the toner cartridge 32 that may be practical for the purposes described herein. The memory label 36 is preferably a memory label with radio-frequency identification (RFID). RFID memory tags and applications therefor are well known. Other aspects of a structure of the RFID memory tag 36 and its functionality in the present invention will become clearer as the explanation proceeds.

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a printing system 40 that includes printer 30 in which toner cartridge 32 is built in, which can be removed and replaced with another toner cartridge (not shown). The toner cartridge 32 includes the storage label 36 and a toner supply 42 .

As previously explained, memory label 36 is an RFID memory label, although it should be noted that memory label 36 may be a conventional semiconductor memory. The RFID memory label 36 has a component memory 44 , a processor 46 and an antenna coil 48 . Component memory 44 has message data 50 stored therein and having message identifiers 51 and 51 '. The format and function of the notification data 50 will be described in more detail below.

The RFID memory label 36 is designed to be operated in connection with an interrogation device, which is also referred to as an interrogator. An interrogator is a device that provides, reads, and / or writes power to, memory tag 36 . Examples of an interrogator include a memory label reader or memory label scanner, a memory label writer that stores data on the memory label 36 , and the like. In the present example, laser printer 30 includes an interrogator 52 .

The interrogator 52 emits a high-frequency field, which delivers power to the memory label 36 via the antenna coil 48 . The memory label 36 therefore does not require its own power supply, a feature that increases the cost efficiency and practicality of using an RFID memory for the memory label 36 .

Transfers between the interrogator 52 and the RFID memory tag 36 are transmitted and received over the radio frequency field and the antenna coil 48 using a standard RFID method and protocol, such as that published in ISO 14443 and ISO 15693. A physical contact between the Speichereti warp 36 and the printer 30 is therefore not in the printer 30 required to cate with the memory tag 36 to commu.

The toner cartridge 32 communicates with the printer 30 , which includes a printer memory 54 . The printer memory 54 contains a message lookup table 56 that contains user messages 58 , 58 'that are displayed to the printer user. As described in more detail below, the user messages 58 , 58 'correspond to the message identifiers 51 , 51 ' that have the message data 50 .

Printer 30 also includes a display 60 and a printer processor 62 . A detector 64 is disposed and configured in printer 30 to detect the occurrence of multiple trigger events that occur with printer 30 . The detector 64 is further configured to correlate a message identifier 51 , 51 'with a trigger event. A trigger event can be predefined by the manufacturer, for example when the toner cartridge 32 is initially installed in the printer 30 . A triggering event may also be a user or supplier defined event, such as activation of a low toner signal for the toner cartridge 32 or printing a certain number of pages from the toner cartridge 32 .

A trigger event can be any type of event that is detectable by printer 30 . For example, trigger events may include when a particular user uses the printer, when the printer user changes from one user to another, when certain print jobs are printed, specific times (e.g., 20 days after the toner cartridge 32 was installed) and a specific one Number of pages (e.g. 500 pages after the toner cartridge 32 has been installed).

Printer 30 is connected to a computer 66 which has a memory 68 and a display monitor 70 . A graphical user interface (GUI) 72 is displayed on the display monitor 70 to provide visual information to the user. Memory 68 of computer 66 may include message lookup table 56 .

The computer 66 is connected to a supplier system 74 via a network 76 , such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) or the like. The supplier system 74 has a memory 78 that may contain the message lookup table 56 .

It should also be noted that the functional components on the printer 30 , the toner cartridge 32 , the computer 66 or the supplier system 74 may be arranged , provided that the functionality of the printing system 40 is preserved, although the functional components of the printing system 40 are on specific locations are shown.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of dynamic messaging that uses the RFID memory label 36 on the toner cartridge 32 . In a step 100 , the detector 64 monitors the toner cartridge 32 for the occurrence of a first triggering event. For purposes of explanation, the first trigger event will occur when the toner cartridge 32 is initially installed in the printer 30 .

Is continuously monitored in a step 100 it is shown that the printer cartridge 32 with respect to an occurrence of the first trigger event, that is, by the detector 64, the installation of the toner cartridge 32. As shown in step 102 , the detector 64 is configured to retrieve the first user message 58 corresponding to the first trigger event (step 104 ) when the installation of the toner cartridge 32 is detected. This can be achieved in various ways, which will be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

As soon as the detector 64 has recovered the first user message 58 in response to the first triggering event, the first user message 58 is displayed to the user on the display 60 of the printer 30 in a step 106 . Alternatively, the first user message 58 can be forwarded to the computer 66 for display on the graphical user interface 72 of the display monitor 70 .

Detector 64 continues to monitor printer cartridge 32 for the occurrence of the second trigger event, ie the activation of a low toner signal. As shown in step 108 , the detector 64 is configured to retrieve the second user message 58 'corresponding to the second trigger event (step 110 ) when the low toner signal is detected. Again, this can be accomplished in several ways, which are described in more detail below.

As soon as the detector 64 has recovered the second user message 58 'in response to the second triggering event, the second user message 58 ' is displayed to the user on the display 60 of the printer 30 in a step 112 . Alternatively, the second user message 58 'can be forwarded to the computer 66 for display on the graphical user interface 72 of the display monitor 70 .

As previously explained, there are various ways in which the detector 64 can retrieve the user messages 58 , 58 '. In Fig. 5 it is shown that to achieve this, a way is the user releases 58, 58 'as the Mitteilungsidentifizierer 51, 51' in the communication data 50 of the component memory 44 to stored so as shown in Fig. 5. This can be achieved if the component memory 44 is of sufficient size to contain the complete electronic representations of the user messages 58 , 58 '. The detector 64 is configured to retrieve a message identifier 51 from a specific location when the first trigger event occurs.

Detector 64 is configured to detect a first trigger event ("Built-in toner cartridge", 300) when the toner cartridge 32 is installed in the printer 30 . When the detector 64 detects the installation, the detector 64 is configured to read the message identifier 51 from the message data 50 of the component memory 44 . The message identifier 51 in this case is the user message "Thank You for Purchasing Genuine Hewlett-Packard Products". This message is then displayed to the user by one of the methods described above.

Detector 64 is also configured to detect a second trigger event ("low toner signal", 304). When the low toner signal is activated, the detector 64 is configured to read the message identifier 51 'from the message data 50 of the component memory 44 . Message identifier 51 'provides the user message "Toner level low - please contact Hewlett-Packard at 555-123-4567 to order a new toner cartridge"("Toner Level Low - Please Contact Hewlett-Packard At 555-123-4567 To Order A New Toner Cartridge "). This message is then displayed to the user by any of the methods described above.

Since component memory 44 is likely to lack the capacity to store more than one user message in its full form, another way in which detector 64 can retrieve user messages 58 , 58 'is for display to the user , storing the current user messages 58 , 58 'in a memory outside of the toner cartridge 32 , as shown in FIG. 3. In the present example, user messages 58 , 58 'are stored in user look-up table 56 in printer memory 54 . When the user messages 58 , 58 'are stored outside of the toner cartridge 32, the message data 40 has message identifiers 51 , 51 ' which correspond to the user messages 58 and 58 'in the message look-up table 56, respectively. The detector 64 uses the contents of Mitteilungsidentifizierers 51 for the first trigger event to the be displayed user message 58 in response to apply to the first trigger event and to locate.

In FIG. 6, the configura used in this example is shown tion. The detector 64 is configured to detect the occurrence of the first trigger event, installation of the toner cartridge 32 in the printer 30 . When the toner cartridge 32 is installed 400, the detector 64 is configured to read the message identifier 51 from the message data 50 in the component memory 44 . Message identifier 51 points to an entry in message lookup table 56 in printer memory 54 that contains user message 58 . User message 58 is the message "Thank you for purchasing Genuine Hewlett-Packard Products". The user message 58 is then displayed to the user via the printer display 60 or the GUI 72 of the display monitor 70 of the computer 66 .

Similarly, detector 64 is configured to detect the occurrence of the second trigger event, activation of the low toner signal. When the low toner signal is activated 402, the detector 64 is configured to read the message identifier 51 'from the message data 50 in the component memory 44 . The message identifier 51 'points to an entry in the message look-up table 56 in the printer memory 54 which contains the user message 58 '. User notification 58 'issues the message "Toner Level Low - Please Contact Hewlett-Packard at 555-123-4567 to Order a New Toner Cartridge"("Toner Level Low - Please Contact Hewlett-Packard At 555-123-4567 To Order A New Toner Cartridge "). User message 58 'is then displayed to the user by any of the methods described above.

It should be noted that if the message look-up table 56 is contained in the memory 68 of the computer 66 connected to the printer 30 , the procedure is similar to that described above, except that the printer 30 includes the computer 66 must communicate to retrieve the user messages 58 , 58 '.

Accordingly, the printer must communicate with the supplier system to access user messages 58 , 58 'when message lookup table 56 is contained in memory 78 of supplier system 74 . As shown, the connection is made through a network such as the Internet. In this case, the printer must establish contact with the delivery system 74 either independently through the network or through the computer 66 first. An advantage of the user with partitions 58, 58 'th beizubehal on the vendor's system 74, is that the provider control over the content of the user messages 58, 58' can be maintained, whereby the system is more flexible because the supplier has control, change user messages 58 , 58 'at any time.

Claims (21)

1. Method for a printing device ( 30 ) which has a replaceable component ( 32 ) with an integrated component memory ( 44 ) in which first message data and second message data are stored, with the following steps:
Detecting ( 104 ) a first trigger event;
Displaying ( 106 ) a first user message ( 58 ) derived from the first message data in response to the first trigger event;
Detecting ( 108 ) a second trigger event; and
Displaying ( 112 ) a second user message ( 58 ') derived from the second message data in response to the second trigger event. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message data and the second message data have electronic representations of the first user message ( 58 ) and the second user message ( 58 '). 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first message data and the second message data have a first message identifier ( 51 ) and a second message identifier ( 51 '), the first message identifier ( 51 ) of an electronic representation of the first user message ( 58 ), which is stored outside the replaceable component ( 32 ), while the second message identifier ( 51 ') corresponds to an electronic representation of the second user message ( 58 '), which is stored outside the replaceable component ( 32 ). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first trigger event has a use of the printing device ( 30 ) by a first user, while the second trigger event has a use of the printing device ( 30 ) by a second user. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first trigger event is a first print job while the second trigger event is one second print job. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first trigger event occurs at a first point in time points, while the second trigger event is a late one ren second time. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first trigger event has a first number of pages printed using the replaceable component ( 32 ), while the second trigger event has a larger second number of pages printed using the replaceable component ( 32 ). 8. Printing system with the following features:
a printing device (30) having a replaceable component (32) having a component memory (44), which is integrated in the same, wherein the component memory stores (44), first communication data and second data communication;
a user interface ( 72 ); and
a processor ( 62 ) configured to display ( 106 ) a first user message ( 58 ) derived from the first message data in response to a first trigger event and a second user message ( 58 ') derived from the second Notification data is derived in response to a second trigger event, display ( 112 ). 9. The printing system of claim 8, further comprising a detector ( 64 ) configured to detect the first trigger event and the second trigger event. 10. The printing system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the first notification data comprises the first user notification ( 58 ), while the second notification data comprises the second user notification ( 58 '). 11. Printing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
the printing device ( 30 ) further includes a printer memory ( 54 ) that stores the first and second user messages ( 58 , 58 ');
the first message data includes a first message identifier ( 51 ) that corresponds to the first user message ( 58 ); and
the second message data comprises a second message identifier ( 51 ') which corresponds to the second user message ( 58 '). 12. Printing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
the printing device ( 30 ) is connected to a computer ( 66 ) having a memory ( 68 ) that stores the first and second user messages ( 58 , 58 ');
the first message data includes a first message identifier ( 51 ) that corresponds to the first user message ( 58 ); and
the second message data comprises a second message identifier ( 51 ') which corresponds to the second user message ( 58 '). 13. A printing system according to claim 12, wherein
the computer ( 66 ) is networked with a supplier system ( 74 ) having a memory ( 78 ) that stores the first and second user messages ( 58 , 58 ');
the first message data includes a first message identifier ( 51 ) that corresponds to the first user message ( 58 ); and
the second message data comprises a second message identifier ( 51 ') which corresponds to the second user message ( 58 '). 14. A printing system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the trigger events are selected from a group of trigger events comprising the following events:

• a) use of the printing device ( 30 ) by one or more users;
• b) print jobs;
• c) installation of a replaceable component ( 32 );
• d) time since the replaceable component ( 32 ) was built;
• e) time since the replaceable component ( 32 ) was manufactured; and
• f) Number of pages that are printed using the replaceable component ( 32 ).

15. Printing system according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the component memory ( 44 ) has a high-frequency identification memory (RFID memory). 16. Laser printer toner cartridge with the following features:
a cassette store ( 36 );
first notification data stored in the cartridge memory ( 36 ), which is called up in response to a first triggering event; and
second message data stored in the cartridge memory ( 36 ) which is called up in response to a second trigger event. The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first message data is a first user message ( 58 ) while the second message data is a second user message ( 58 '). The toner cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the first message data includes a first message identifier ( 51 ) corresponding to a first message ( 58 ) stored outside the toner cartridge ( 32 ), while the second message data has a second message identifier ( 51 ') on which corresponds to a second message ( 58 ') which is stored outside the toner cartridge ( 32 ). 19. A toner cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the first and second messages ( 58 , 58 ') are stored in a message look-up table ( 56 ) containing the first message identifier ( 51 ) with the first message ( 58 ) and the second message identifier ( 51 ') correlated with the second message ( 58 '). 20. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the trigger event is selected from a group of trigger events having the following events:

• a) use of the printing device ( 30 ) by one or more users;
• b) print jobs;
• c) installation of a replaceable component ( 32 );
• d) time since the replaceable component ( 32 ) was installed;
• e) time since the replaceable component ( 32 ) was manufactured; and
• f) Number of pages that are printed using the replaceable component ( 32 ).

21. A toner cartridge according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the cartridge memory ( 44 ) has a high-frequency identification memory (RFID memory).