Consumable comprising a locking mechanism
阅读说明:本技术 包括锁定机构的耗材 (Consumable comprising a locking mechanism ) 是由 韦恩·J·施密特 史蒂夫·博伊特勒 肯特·S·竹下 于 2017-10-13 设计创作,主要内容包括:在示例中,一种装置包括用以容纳一定量耗材资源的容器。机械驱动联接器被附接到所述容器。所述机械驱动联接器包括孔和集成到所述孔中的锁定机构。当所述孔和驱动机构能旋转地接合时,所述锁定机构将所述容器锁定到所述驱动机构。(In an example, an apparatus includes a container to hold an amount of a consumable resource. A mechanical drive coupling is attached to the container. The mechanical drive coupler includes an aperture and a locking mechanism integrated into the aperture. The locking mechanism locks the container to the drive mechanism when the aperture and drive mechanism are rotatably engaged.)
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a container for holding a quantity of consumable resources; and
a mechanical drive coupler attached to the consumable, the mechanical drive coupler comprising:
an aperture; and
a locking mechanism integrated into the aperture to lock the container to the drive mechanism when the aperture and drive mechanism are rotatably engaged.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ramp cut into the hole.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the ramp comprises a helical path comprising a start position and an end position.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of threads formed on an inner side of the aperture.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a computer readable storage device mounted to the container.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the computer-readable storage device comprises:
a memory to store static and dynamic values;
a processor to overwrite the dynamic value upon detection of a change in a parameter represented by the dynamic value; and
an input/output device to transmit the static value and the dynamic value.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the static value is related to a security policy of the apparatus.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the parameter represented by the dynamic value is related to a usage state of the device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the usage status comprises a remaining amount of the consumable resource in the container.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input/output device comprises a set of electrical contacts.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a cartridge for a printing device.
12. An apparatus, comprising:
a container for holding a quantity of consumable resources; and
a computer readable storage device mounted to the container, the computer readable storage device comprising:
a memory to store static and dynamic values;
a processor to overwrite the dynamic value upon detection of a change in a parameter represented by the dynamic value; and
an input/output device to transmit the static value and the dynamic value.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the static value is related to a security policy of the apparatus and the parameter represented by the dynamic value is related to a usage state of the apparatus.
14. An apparatus, comprising:
a quantity of consumable resources drivable by the drive mechanism; and
a mechanical drive coupling attached to the consumable resource to engage the drive mechanism, the mechanical drive coupling comprising:
a locking mechanism to lock the consumable resource to the drive mechanism when the locking mechanism and the drive mechanism are rotatably engaged.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises a drum for a printing device.
Background
A Contract Service Provider (CSP) is a business that can perform repair, replacement, and/or maintenance of equipment and other properties (property) for a customer. In some cases, this may include replacing a consumable used by the equipment. In the case of printing devices (e.g., commercial printers, additive manufacturing systems, etc.), these consumables may include items such as ink cartridges (ink cartridges) and toner cartridges (toner cartridges). For example, the CSP may periodically provide a full cartridge or cartridge to the customer to replace an empty cartridge.
Drawings
FIG. 1A is a high-level block diagram illustrating an example system for locking consumables in a printing device;
FIG. 1B is a high-level block diagram illustrating a more detailed depiction of the example system of FIG. 1A;
2A-2D depict examples of a locking mechanism for locking consumables in a printing device;
3A-3C depict an example of a locking mechanism for locking consumables in a printing device;
FIG. 4 depicts an example of a storage device, such as a consumable that may be installed into a printing device;
FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for installing consumables in a printing device;
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for monitoring the status of a consumable in a printing device; and
FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of an example computer, which may be converted to a machine capable of performing the functions described herein.
Detailed Description
The present disclosure broadly describes apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for locking consumables in a printing device (e.g., an inkjet printer, a laser-jet printer, an additive manufacturing system, or other type of two-dimensional or three-dimensional printing device). As discussed above, a Contract Service Provider (CSP) that contracts to perform repair, replacement, and maintenance of printing devices (e.g., commercial printers, additive manufacturing systems, etc.) may periodically provide customers with replacement of consumables (such as ink cartridges and selenium drums) used by the printing devices. The customer may then replace the used consumable, such as a spent powder cartridge (power cartridge), a toner cartridge, or an ink cartridge, with a new consumable.
Many printing devices alert customers when a consumable is near exhaustion. For example, the printing device may display an alarm when the cartridge has reached a certain depletion threshold level (e.g., 10% toner remaining, 100 pages remaining, etc.). However, if a customer replaces a consumable before it is completely depleted, valuable resources (e.g., toner remaining) may not be utilized, resulting in an artificial increase in Cost Per Page (CPP) and loss of revenue to the CSP (CSP typically charges an appropriate fixed contract price for providing the replacement consumable).
Examples describe a key built into a drive mechanism of a printing apparatus and a locking mechanism built into a mechanical drive coupling of a consumable of the printing apparatus, such as an ink cartridge, a powder cartridge, or a toner cartridge. The key engages and disengages the locking mechanism under the control of cooperating firmware to prevent the consumable from being removed and/or replaced from the printing device before it is exhausted. This ensures that the maximum value (e.g., the maximum number of pages printed) is extracted from the consumable before it is replaced, thereby maximizing the profit of the contractual service provider responsible for providing the replacement. The key and locking mechanism may also be used to reduce the occurrence of fraud, depending on the situation when the customer intentionally receives a partially depleted consumable.
One example of a key includes a pin on a delivery auger drive mechanism (deliveryauger drive mechanism) of a drive mechanism of a printing apparatus, while one example of a locking mechanism includes a ramp (ramp) cut into a mechanical drive coupling on a consumable. The ramp engages the pin when the consumable is inserted into the printing device. The rotary drive pins of the transport auger of the consumable (i.e. the mechanism on or inside the consumable that drives the consumable to the appropriate part of the printing apparatus) move down the ramp until the consumable is locked in place. Another example of a key includes a thread on a transport auger drive mechanism of a printing device, while one example of a locking mechanism includes a mechanical drive coupling having a threaded aperture. When the consumable is inserted into the printing apparatus, the threaded aperture engages with threads on the transport auger drive mechanism. Rotation of the consumable transport auger increases the engagement of the threads until the consumable is locked in place. After the lockout occurs, additional rotation in the same direction will then be used to rotate the transport auger of the consumable material, thereby transporting a fresh supply of consumable material resources (e.g., toner, powder, or ink) to the printing system.
One example of collaborative firmware may extract data from a storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage device, such as a read-only memory and flash memory combined chip) installed on the consumable and use the data to determine when the consumable should be locked and unlocked. For example, the storage device may track data from which the depletion level of the consumable may be estimated. When the data indicates that the consumable has reached the depletion threshold level, the coordination firmware may send a signal to a transport auger drive mechanism engaged with the consumable instructing the transport auger drive mechanism to take action (e.g., rotate counterclockwise), which unlocks the consumable and facilitates its removal from the printing device.
In a further example, the collaborative firmware ensures that the use of the consumable in the printing device is consistent with user (e.g., customer, CSP, or manufacturer) specific policies or security procedures. For example, customer-specific policies may specify: consumables must not be replaced until they are depleted by at least x%; consumables may not be installed unless manufactured by a particular resource; or access to the consumable is limited to a specific time interval. The coordinating firmware may send a signal to the transport auger drive mechanism engaged with the consumable instructing the transport auger drive mechanism to take an action (e.g., rotate clockwise, rotate counterclockwise, etc.) consistent with a customer-specific strategy (e.g., unlock the consumable, lock the consumable, etc.).
Although examples of the present invention are described in the context of toner cartridges as consumables, such examples may be equally applicable to other types of consumables, such as ink cartridges, toner cartridges, powder cartridges, imaging units or drums, developer units, fuser units, Intermediate Transfer Belts (ITBs), ITB cleaners, and so forth.
FIG. 1A is a high-level block diagram illustrating an
The
The
FIG. 1B is a high-level block diagram illustrating a more detailed depiction of the
As discussed above, the
The
As discussed above, the
The consumable 108 comprises any component of the printing device that contains some limited amount of resources used by the printing device, and therefore may be subject to periodic replacement during the life of the printing device. For example, the consumable 108 may include a cartridge, a powder cartridge, an ink cartridge, a fining cartridge, an imaging unit, a developer unit, a fuser unit, an Intermediate Transfer Belt (ITB), an ITB cleaner, and the like. In addition to the limited amount of resources, the consumable 108 may also include a
Fig. 2A-2D depict an example of a
As illustrated in fig. 2A, the conveying
As illustrated in fig. 2B, which fig. 2B shows a more detailed depiction of the
In fig. 2B, the consumable is depicted as a cartridge, although other types of consumables may be suitable in a similar manner. The cartridge includes a
As illustrated in fig. 2C, when the cartridge is inserted into the printing device, the
As illustrated in fig. 2D, the conveying
To unlock the cartridge, the transport
Thus, the
3A-3C depict an example of a
As illustrated in fig. 3A, the conveying
In fig. 3A, the consumable is depicted as a cartridge, although other types of consumables may be suitable in a similar manner. The cartridge includes a
As illustrated in fig. 3B, when the cartridge is inserted into the printing device, the
As illustrated in fig. 3C, the transport
To unlock the cartridge, the transport
Thus, fig. 2A-2D and 3A-3C illustrate two specific examples of modifications that may be made to the consumable and/or the drive mechanism in order to lock the consumable in the printing device. Further and other modifications may be made to the drive mechanism and/or consumable to achieve similar results. For example, a magnetic latch on the drive mechanism and/or the consumable may be exposed by relative rotation of the drive mechanism and the consumable. In some examples, a manual release device may be built into the drive mechanism and/or the consumable to allow the consumable to be unlocked for maintenance in the event of a controller failure. For example, in one example, a display of the printing device may present a service person with a menu accessible via a password (or via some other security means) that includes an option to reset the lock.
Furthermore, the locking mechanisms disclosed herein may also be used as a mechanical device for keying consumables for a particular product, generation, area, etc. by changing the mechanism used for the locking mechanism and key (e.g., ramps and pins as in fig. 2A-2D, threaded holes and threaded shafts as in fig. 3A-3C, or other mechanisms), or by changing the size and shape of the mechanism. For example, configuring the transport auger drive mechanism of a printing device with a particular type of key (e.g., with a pin) would ensure that consumables with incompatible locking mechanisms (e.g., without ramps) cannot be easily installed in the printing device.
Fig. 4 depicts an example of a
As illustrated, the
Processor 402 may include a microprocessor or Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor 402 may read values from the ROM 402 and/or the
While both ROM and flash memory are considered non-volatile, at least one of the memories may also include volatile memory. Either or both of the ROM404 and the flash memory 406 may be used to store a plurality of values associated with the consumable on which the
The I/
FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 500 for installing consumables in a printing device. The method 500 may be performed, for example, by the
The method 500 begins at block 502. At block 504, the controller monitors the status of the consumable being used by the printing device. In one example, the controller may monitor the status of the consumable by extracting dynamic values from a memory device (e.g., a read-only memory and flash combined chip) mounted to the consumable. The dynamic values may include usage statistics for the consumable, such as a current depletion level of the consumable, a remaining life of the consumable, an accuracy of a source of the consumable, a number of times the consumable has been inserted into the printing device, a number of pages printed using the consumable, a depletion level of the last time the consumable was removed from the printing device (e.g., if the consumable is reusable), and/or other statistics.
In block 506, the controller detects that the monitored consumable has reached a certain depletion threshold level (e.g., depletion x%). For example, the determination may be based on a comparison of the dynamic value obtained in block 502 with a static value also obtained from a storage device mounted on the consumable. The static value may specify what depletion threshold level is for that particular consumable. In one example, the depletion threshold level is configurable and can be customized to suit a user's (e.g., customer, manufacturer, or CSP) preferences. In this way, the security policy or security program for the consumable, as discussed in more detail below, may be unique to each consumable and/or user, rather than universal.
In block 508, the controller sends an alert to an output device (e.g., display, speaker, etc.) of the printing device to notify the user that the consumable should be replaced. For example, the alert may include a message displayed on a display of the printing device, a flashing (lighting) of an indicator on the printing device, or an audible sound played through a speaker of the printing device. In further examples, the controller may send a message over a network to a communication device (such as a mobile phone, computing device, wearable smart device, etc.) associated with the user. The controller may also send a message to the CSP or other party to automatically order the replacement consumable. The controller may also write values to a memory device (e.g., a read-only memory and flash combined chip) mounted on the consumable, if any. For example, the value written to the storage device may indicate a level of consumable depletion detected when an alarm is sent to replace the consumable.
At block 510, the controller detects that the consumable (or a portion of the printing device housing the consumable) has been manually accessed, presumably by the user. For example, the controller may detect that a door or panel that occludes the consumable has been opened. In this case, a sensor in the door or panel may transmit a signal to the controller indicating that the door or panel has been opened.
At block 512, the controller sends a signal to the transport auger drive mechanism with which the consumable is engaged to unlock the consumable. In one example, as discussed above in connection with fig. 2A-2D and 3A-3C, the signal may instruct the transport auger drive mechanism to rotate in a particular direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) such that the locking mechanism integrated into the consumable is released by the key of the transport auger drive mechanism. The signal may further instruct the transport auger drive mechanism to release the bias applied to the biasing element (e.g., a spring, as described in conjunction with fig. 2A-2D and 3A-3C) such that the consumable is forced a distance away from its installed location, allowing the user to more easily confirm the consumable to be replaced.
At block 514, the controller detects that the consumable has been disengaged from the conveyor auger drive mechanism. In one example, a sensor in the drive mechanism may send a signal to the controller indicating that the transport auger drive mechanism is completely disengaged from the locking mechanism on the consumable.
At block 516, the controller may detect that a replacement consumable is attempting to engage the transport auger drive mechanism. In one example, a sensor in the drive mechanism may send a signal to the controller indicating that the transport auger drive mechanism has been in contact with the replacement consumable.
At block 518, the controller sends a signal to the transport auger drive mechanism to engage the replacement consumable. In one example, as discussed above in connection with fig. 2A-2D and 3A-3C, the signal may instruct the transport auger drive mechanism to rotate in a particular direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) such that the locking mechanism integrated into the consumable is engaged by the key of the transport auger drive mechanism.
At block 520, the controller determines whether the key of the transport auger drive mechanism and the locking mechanism of the replacement consumable are engaged (e.g., as illustrated in fig. 2C and 3B above). In one example, a sensor in the drive mechanism may send a signal to the controller indicating that a key of the transport auger drive mechanism has engaged a locking mechanism on the replacement consumable (e.g., as illustrated in fig. 2D and 3C above). The key of the transport auger drive mechanism and the locking mechanism of the replacement consumable may not be fully engaged at this point, but may be at least partially engaged (e.g., sufficient to determine whether the key of the transport auger drive mechanism is compatible with the locking mechanism on the consumable).
If at block 520 the controller determines that the key of the transport auger drive mechanism and the locking mechanism of the replacement consumable are not engaged, the method 500 proceeds to block 522. At block 522, the controller sends an alert to an output device (e.g., display, speaker, etc.) of the printing device to notify the user of the retry. For example, a user may not properly align a locking mechanism on a replacement consumable with a key of a transport auger drive mechanism. Alternatively, the locking mechanism on the consumable may not be compatible with the key of the transport auger drive mechanism (e.g., as may be the case when a user attempts to install the wrong type of cartridge). The method 500 then returns to block 516.
On the other hand, if at block 520 the controller determines that the key of the transport auger drive mechanism and the locking mechanism of the replacement consumable are engaged, the method 500 proceeds to block 524. At block 524, the controller sends a signal to the transport auger drive mechanism to lock the replacement consumable in place, for example, by fully engaging the locking mechanism on the replacement consumable (e.g., as illustrated in fig. 2D and 3C above). Once locked, the replacement consumable will not be easily removed from the printing device unless it is unlocked by the controller (e.g., similar to the way the depleted consumable is unlocked at block 512).
The method 500 then returns to block 504 and continues to monitor the status of the replacement consumable in the manner described (e.g., potentially referring to the new static and/or dynamic values stored in the storage device of the replacement consumable). For example, the controller may extract new static and/or dynamic values from a storage device installed on the replacement consumable (e.g., defining a security policy and/or usage statistics for the consumable, such as a depletion level of the consumable, a remaining life of the consumable, an accuracy of the source of the consumable, a number of times the consumable has been inserted into the printing device, a number of pages printed using the consumable, a depletion level of the last time the consumable was removed from the printing device (e.g., if the consumable is reusable), and/or other statistics).
Thus, method 500 makes the consumable more difficult to replace before it reaches a certain depletion threshold level, thereby maximizing the usefulness of the consumable. The method 500 may also be used to prevent unauthorized replacement of consumables from being installed in a printing device. Furthermore, by monitoring the static and dynamic values stored in the storage device mounted on the consumable and by updating these values at the appropriate time, a measure of confidence can be provided regarding the consumable being replaced at the appropriate time. This will help to improve the accuracy of future controller operations on the installed consumables. This also helps to detect a problem with a specific type (e.g., model) of consumable, for example, if a trend is detected in data stored in a storage device mounted on a plurality of consumables of the same type.
As discussed above, method 500 (potentially in conjunction with the various configurations of locking mechanisms described above) may also enable a particular policy or security program of a user (e.g., customer, CSP, or manufacturer) to be defined and implemented. For example, the controller may be programmed to implement a consumable replacement strategy that does not allow the consumable to unlock until it reaches at least a threshold level or is depleted. Thus, the controller of customer A's printing device may be configured to allow the consumable to be unlocked when the consumable reaches at least ninety percent exhaustion, while the controller of customer B's printing device may be configured to allow the consumable to be unlocked when the consumable reaches one hundred percent exhaustion.
Similarly, the controller may be configured to restrict user access to consumables (e.g., consumables may be unlocked by particular personnel), to define consumable replacement intervals (consumables may be replaced after a particular period of time or during a particular time window), or to define the type of consumable that may be installed in the printing device (e.g., make, model, batch). Thus, the security program can be customized to address the issues of a particular printing environment.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an
The
At
At
It should also be noted that, although not explicitly specified, some of the blocks, functions, or operations of the
FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of an
As depicted in fig. 7,
It should be noted that the present disclosure may be implemented by machine-readable instructions and/or in combination with machine-readable instructions and hardware, e.g., using an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) including a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or any other hardware equivalent disposed on a hardware device, e.g., computer-readable instructions related to the above-discussed methods may be used to configure a hardware processor to perform the blocks, functions and/or operations of the above-discussed methods.
In one example, instructions and data, e.g., machine-readable instructions, for the present module or process 705 for locking consumables in a printing device may be loaded into memory 704 and executed by hardware processor element 702 to implement the blocks, functions, or operations as discussed above in connection with method 500. For example, module 705 may include a plurality of programming code components including a
The
The drive mechanism control component 710 can be configured to control an actuator (e.g., a motor) that causes movement of a drive mechanism engaged with the consumable. For example, the drive mechanism control component 710 can control a motor that rotates the drive mechanism in a particular direction to lock or unlock the consumable, consistent with the policy enforced by the
Further, when a hardware processor executes instructions to perform an "operation," this may include the hardware processor performing the operation directly and/or facilitating, directing, or performing the operation in conjunction with other hardware devices or components (e.g., a co-processor, etc.).
A processor executing machine readable instructions related to the method described above may be considered a programmed processor or a dedicated processor. As such, the present module 705 for locking consumables in a printing device of the present disclosure, including associated data structures, may be stored on a tangible or physical (broadly non-transitory) computer-readable storage device or medium (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, ROM memory, RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive, device or disk, etc.). More specifically, a computer-readable storage device may include any physical device that provides the ability to store information (such as data and/or instructions) that is accessible by a processor or a computing device (such as a computer or application server).
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-discussed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, or variations therein may be subsequently made which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
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