Patent Publication Number: US-2006017776-A1

Title: Increasing key combinations for inkjet cartridges

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to the field of printers and more particularly to inkjet cartridges which are used with printers.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. One example of an information handling device is a printer.  
      Some known printers use printer consumables such as inkjet cartridges to present information onto a print media. Known inkjet cartridges have limited surface area for modifications. Additionally, different inkjet cartridge original equipment manufactures (OEMs) may use similar cartridges.  
      Known printer cartridges are keyed by extruding parts from certain surfaces. While effective, this is an inefficient method for generating keys. Also, this method is easily circumvented by removing the extrusion such as with clippers.  
      Accordingly it is desirable to provide a method for generating multiple hardware/mechanical keys using the limited area of the print cartridge. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a printer cartridge keying system with a large number of potential combinations to enble unique indentification of a large number of cartridges (e.g., photo, color, high-yield color, etc.) thus allowing a print cartridge supplier to uniquely identify a greater product range.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the present invention, a multiple projection configuration for keying inkjet cartridges is set forth. The multiple projection configuration enables a large number of combinations to be generated from a small structure. The keys mate with a receiving unit on a carrier having a complementary key configuration. Thus, a particular key configuration only fits similarly configured carriers.  
      The multiple projection configuration offers a solution that provides an efficient method for generating a higher number of keys per cartridge. The method for generating a higher number of keys on a cartridge in a space-efficient manner is difficult to disable and allows for a greater range of supported cartridges, as well as restrictions from certain StockKeeping Units (SKUs). The multiple projection configuration allows a greater selection of inkjet cartridges, and easily restricts certain cartridges to certain product lines.  
      In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for providing a plurality of key combinations for a printer consumable which includes providing a printer consumable with a multiple projection key module having a plurality of keys and configuring the plurality of keys within the key module to provide a printer consumable key combination. The printer consumable key combination uniquely identifies the printer consumable as a particular type of printer consumable.  
      In another embodiment, the invention relates to a printer consumable having a plurality of key combinations which includes a multiple projection key module having a plurality of key locations. The plurality of keys is configured within the key module to provide a printer consumable key combination. The printer consumable key combination uniquely identifies the printer consumable as a particular type of printer consumable.  
      In another embodiment, the invention relates to an information handling system which includes a control system and a consumable coupled to the control system. The consumable includes a multiple projection key module having a plurality of key locations. The plurality of keys is configured within the key module to provide a consumable key combination. The consumable key combination uniquely identifies the consumable as a particular type of consumable to the control system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.  
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an environment in which a printer is used.  
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an inkjet cartridge.  
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the interface with an inkjet cartridge having a multiple projection key.  
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of another interface with an inkjet cartridge having another multiple projection key. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an environment in which a printer is used is shown. The environment includes a computer system  102  and a printer  104 , coupled via a communication link  110 . The communication link  110  might be a printer cable, a network connection or any other link which information is communicated with the printer  104 .  
      The computer system  102  is also connected to another computer system (e.g., a vendor computer system)  110  via a second communication link  120 . The second communication link  120  may be a telephone system or some other type of network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, computer system  110  is owned and operated by a printer consumable supplier  112 . In this example, the printer consumable supplier  112  provides printer consumables for use with the printer  104  from a supply  114  of printer consumables. The printer  104  may be directly coupled to the second communication link  120 , in which case communication may occur between the printer and anything coupled to the second communication link  120 .  
      The printer  104  includes an input output (I/O) port  130 , a control system  132 , at least one printer consumable  134  and a receiving unit  135 . The I/O port  130  facilitates communications between the printer  104  and other devices connected to the communications link  110 . The control system  132  provides the printer  104  with certain control functionality. The control system  132  includes a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The print cartridge ordering system may be stored on either the memory of the printer or within the memory of the computer system  102 .  
      The printer consumable  134  represents any component in the printer  104  that is subject to depletion through use of the printer  104 . For example, the printer consumable  134  may be a toner cartridge or an inkjet cartridge, etc. The printer consumable supplier maintains a supply  114  of replacement printer consumables  134 .  
      The printer consumable  134  includes a unique printer consumable identification module  140 . The unique printer consumable identification module  140  includes a multiple projection configuration module that mates with a complementary portion of the receiving unit  135  of the printer  104 . The multiple projection configuration module  140  provides an efficient method for generating a relatively high number of keys per cartridge. The multiple projection configuration module  140  enables generating a higher number of keys on a printer consumable, such as an inkjet cartridge, in a space-efficient manner. The multiple projection configuration module  140  is difficult to disable and allows for a greater range of supported cartridges, as well as restrictions from certain StockKeeping Units (SKUs). The multiple projection configuration module  140  enables a greater selection of inkjet cartridges, and easily restricts certain cartridges to certain product lines.  
      The computer system  102  generates a document in an electronic form and transmits the document (in the form of a print job) to the printer  104 . The printer  104  receives the print job via the I/O port  130  and prints the document. Each time the printer  104  prints a document, the printer  104  transmits a pre-defined message to the computer  102 .  
      It may be determined that the consumable  134  should be replaced when certain criteria are met. For example, it is assumed that the consumable  134  should be replaced each time the printer  104  prints “n” pages. When this event occurs, the control system  132  sets a consumable replacement indicator.  
      The status of the consumable replacement indicator may be determined by the computer  102 . This is accomplished by the computer  102  transmitting a pre-defined query to the printer  104 . The printer  104  responds to the query by generating a response indicating whether the consumable replacement indicator is set.  
      For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of an inkjet cartridge is shown. More specifically, the inkjet cartridge  210  includes a multiple projection key module  220 . The multiple projection key module  220  enables keying inkjet cartridges. The multiple projection key module  220  enables a large number of combinations to be generated from a small structure.  
      More specifically, the multiple projection key module  220  includes a plurality of keys  230 . The plurality of keys are arranged in a shape, such as for example, a square or a rectangle, where each of the keys are positioned contiguous to one another. In one embodiment, the multiple projection key module  220  includes a square of four keys by four keys, to provide a total of sixteen keys. Each of the sixteen keys may be individually omitted from the multiple projection key module  220  to uniquely identify a particular type of inkjet cartridge. Also, the sixteen keys may be combinatorially omitted from the multiple projection key module  220 . Accordingly, a multiple projection key module having sixteen keys can provide a potential of 2 16  different potential key combinations.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the interface with an inkjet cartridge having a multiple projection key  308  is shown. More specifically, the multiple projection key  310  includes ten keys  310  as well as five key locations  312  in which the keys were omitted. The corresponding printer key  320  includes five projections  322  which complement the five omitted key locations  312 .  
      The keys  310  and omitted keys locations  312  within the multiple projection configuration module  308  mate with complementary projections  322  located on a receiving unit on a ink jet carrier (not shown) having a complementary key configuration. Thus, a particular key configuration only fits similarly configured carriers.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of another interface with an inkjet cartridge having another multiple projection key is shown. More specifically, the multiple projection key  410  includes ten keys  410  as well as five key locations  412  in which the keys were omitted. The corresponding printer key  420  includes five projections  422  which complement the five omitted key locations  412 .  
      The keys  410  and omitted keys locations  412  within the multiple projection configuration module  408  mate with complementary projections  422  located on a receiving unit on a ink jet carrier (not shown) having a complementary key configuration. A particular key configuration only fits similarly configured carriers.  
      Accordingly, while the configuration module  308  and the configuration module  408  each include five omitted key locations, one module would not mate with the carrier of the other module.  
      The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention.  
      For example, the above-discussed embodiments include software modules that perform certain tasks. The software modules discussed herein may include script, batch, or other executable files. The software modules may be stored on a machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium such as a disk drive. Storage devices used for storing software modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be magnetic floppy disks, hard disks, or optical discs such as CD-ROMs or CD-Rs, for example. A storage device used for storing firmware or hardware modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also include a semiconductor-based memory, which may be permanently, removably or remotely coupled to a microprocessor/memory system. Thus, the modules may be stored within a computer system memory to configure the computer system to perform the functions of the module. Other new and various types of computer-readable storage media may be used to store the modules discussed herein. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the separation of functionality into modules is for illustrative purposes. Alternative embodiments may merge the functionality of multiple modules into a single module or may impose an alternate decomposition of functionality of modules. For example, a software module for calling sub-modules may be decomposed so that each sub-module performs its function and passes control directly to another sub-module.  
      Also for example, it will be appreciated that other types of printer consumables in addition to inkjet cartridges may include multiple projection key modules.  
      Also for example, the plurality of keys of the multiple projection key module may be arranged in any shape as desired for a particular purpose. Thus, if a rectangle, triangle or other geometric shape were desired, the plurality of keys could be arranged in the other geometric shape. The keys within the multiple projection key could then be configured to provide the desired shape of the multiple projection key module.  
      Also for example, the multiple projection key module may have any number of keys as desired for a particular purpose. Thus, if more key combinations were desired, a multiple projection key module having more keys could be provided. If fewer key combinations were desired, a multiple projection key module having fewer keys could be provided.  
      Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.