Patent ID: 6312106
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A replaceable marking engine for use in a marking machine, the marking engine responsive to control signals for selectively depositing marking material on media, the replaceable marking engine comprising:a housing associated with the marking canine, the housing configured for docking with the marking machine, the housing having an undocked position, wherein the housing is detached from a receiving station associated with the marking machine, and a docked position, wherein the housing is secured to the receiving station associated with the marking machine;an electrical storage device mounted to the housing for storing information; anda radio frequency linking device electrically coupled to the electrical storage device and mounted to the housing, wherein the radio frequency linking device is mounted on the housing such that when the marking engine is in the docked position with the marking machine, the radio frequency linking device is within a capture region of and at a specific controlled orientation relative to a corresponding radio frequency linking device associated with the receiving station, such that the radio frequency linking device provides a radio frequency link with the corresponding radio frequency linking device for transferring the information between the marking engine and the marking machine without use of electrical conductors directly connecting the marking engine and the marking machine and only when the radio frequency linking device is positioned within the capture region and at the specific controlled orientation, positioning of the radio frequency linking device outside of the capture region or not at the specific controlled orientation preventing the transfer of information between the marking engine and the marking machine.