Patent Publication Number: US-9429870-B2

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

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. provisional application No. 62/011,946, filed Jun. 13, 2014, entitled, “System and Method for Magnetic Communication between Toner Bottle and Imaging Device,” the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to image forming devices and more particularly to a replaceable unit of an image forming device and communication therebetween. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In electrophotographic image forming devices, one or more replaceable units may be used to supply consumable material to the device upon installation of the replaceable unit(s) therein. Generally, a replaceable unit communicates with an image forming device certain information for proper operation. In particular, the replaceable unit communicates with the image forming device its country of origin (perhaps for its authentication), geographical location of shipment, its stored consumable material, and/or other settings/information associated with the replaceable unit. This information is often stored in or on the replaceable unit upon its manufacture but some of the information, such as the shipping location, could be changed thereafter in order to adapt to customer demand. 
     Typically, replaceable unit have a housing forming a reservoir for consumable material and often include consumable material agitators or paddles in the reservoir to fluff and mix consumable material in the reservoir, thereby preventing consumable material from clumping. Agitators and paddles also direct consumable material to an exit port for supplying consumable material to a developer unit of the image forming device. An existing replaceable unit  10  is generally shown in  FIG. 1 . Replaceable unit  10  has a cylindrically-shaped housing  12  and includes a shaft  14  within a reservoir  13  formed by the housing  12 . A molded paddle assembly  16  having paddles A, B, C, D in reservoir  13  is mounted on shaft  14  to agitate and move toner in reservoir  13  toward an outlet of housing  12  as shaft  14  rotates. With replaceable unit  10  in an image forming device, information associated with replaceable unit  10  is communicated to the imaging device using, for example, relatively expensive smart chips and/or memory devices that are mounted on housing  12 . With the bottle design of  FIG. 1  and other similar designs, these information-storing devices mounted on the bottle housing can be tampered with, hacked or copied. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed an apparatus for supplying consumable material, including a housing having a reservoir for storing the consumable material. The housing has an outlet for exiting consumable material from the reservoir. A rotatable shaft is disposed inside the reservoir and positioned along a length of the housing. One or more magnetic members are coupled to the shaft so as to rotate with the shaft. The one or more magnetic members generate a magnetic field and when rotating, conveys information about the apparatus. In the example embodiment, the information is based upon the presence or absence of the one or more magnetic members relative to one or more predetermined locations for receiving a magnetic member within the apparatus. 
     In one example embodiment, the one or more predetermined locations for receiving the one or more magnetic members may be angularly displaced from each other about the shaft or from a home position thereof. In addition or in the alternative, the one or more predetermined locations may be spaced from each other in a direction corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. In addition, the one or more predetermined locations may be spaced from each other in a radial direction of the shaft. This angular, axial and/or radial spacing affects the magnetic field generated by the one or more magnetic members such that the information conveyed is based at least in part upon the spacing. 
     In another example embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one disk member coupled to the shaft and to which the one or more magnetic members are mounted. In still another example embodiment, the disk member and magnetic members coupled thereto are located in and form part of an end cap assembly. In this way, the one or more magnetic members are separated from the reservoir and the consumable material therein. 
     In an example embodiment, the apparatus includes an image forming device having one or more magnetic sensors for sensing the magnetic field. The housing, shaft, and magnetic members form at least part of a replaceable unit removably insertable into the image forming device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a known replaceable unit showing a consumable material delivery mechanism therein. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an image forming device according to one example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of interior components of a replaceable unit and sensors of the image forming device of  FIG. 2  according to one example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the sensors and a paddle assembly of a replaceable unit according to one example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the sensors and replaceable unit of  FIG. 3  according to another example embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views of interior components of a replaceable unit and sensors of the image forming device of  FIG. 2  according to additional example embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway perspective view of a replaceable unit and a sensor of the image forming device of  FIG. 2  according to one example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     Spatially relative terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back” and “side”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a block diagram depiction of an image forming device  20 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , image forming device  20  is a multifunction product (sometimes referred to as an all-in-one (AIO) device) that includes a controller  26 , a user interface  28 , a print engine  30 , a laser scan unit (LSU)  31 , and one or more imaging units  32 , each having a cleaner unit  33 , a developer unit  34  and one or more toner cartridges or bottles  35 . Image forming device  20  also includes a fuser  37 , a media feed system  38  and a media input tray  39 , and a scanner system  40 . Image forming device  20  may communicate with a computer via a standard communication protocol, such as, for example, universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, using a communications link. As used herein, “communications link” generally refers to any structure that facilitates electronic communication between multiple components and may operate using wired/wireless technology, such as communications over the Internet. Image forming device  20  may be, for example, an electrophotographic (EP) printer/copier with an integrated scanner system  40  or a standalone EP printer. 
     Controller  26  processes print and scan data and operates print engine  30  during printing and scanner system  40  during scanning Controller  26  includes a processor unit and associated memory  27  and may be formed as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Memory  27  may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Alternatively, memory  27  may be in the form of a separate electronic memory (e.g. RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard drive, a CD or DVD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with controller  26 . Controller  26  may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller. 
     In the example embodiment illustrated, controller  26  communicates with print engine  30 , LSU  31  and fuser  37  via communications links  50 . Controller  26  communicates with imaging unit(s)  32  and processing circuitry  42  on each imaging unit  32  via communications link(s)  51 . Controller  26  communicates with toner bottle(s)  35  and processing circuitry  45  on each toner bottle  35  via communications link(s)  52 . Controller  26  communicates with media feed system  38  via a communications link  53 . Controller  26  communicates with scanner system  40  via a communications link  54 . User interface  28  is communicatively coupled to controller  26  via a communications link  55 . Processing circuitry  42 ,  45  may include a processor, associated memory such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM and may provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and usage information related to imaging unit(s)  32  and toner bottle(s)  35 , respectively. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, image forming device  20  includes one or more sensors  47  mounted thereon. Toner bottle  35  communicates with one or more sensors  47  via a magnetic communications link  56 , in particular using magnetic fields emanating from one or more magnets disposed on or in each toner bottle  35 . Sensor(s)  47  communicate with controller  26  via a communications link  57 . Sensors  47  may be Hall Effect sensors for detecting magnetic field strength(s) from magnetic field lines extending through a space or air gap between toner bottle  35  and sensors  47 , but it is understood that the one or more sensors  47  may be other types of sensors that are capable of sensing the presence and strength of a magnetic field in its proximity Sensors  47  may operate in low power modes where sensors  47  turn on and off quickly for active sensing of magnetic field strength in a short time window. In one example embodiment, the short time window can be chosen to occur at a time when communication links with controller  26  are inactive or less active such as, for example, while print engine  30  sits idle during a scan operation performed by scanner system  40 . 
     Using sensor(s)  47 , controller  26  samples or otherwise collects measurements of the magnetic field generated by toner bottle  35  and processes the collected measurements. In particular, the processing may include determining, decoding or otherwise extracting information relating to toner bottle  35  from the collected measurements. Image forming device  20  may use this information, for example, to verify that a correct toner bottle  35  with a particular consumable material color/type is installed, or the toner bottle  35  is used in the correct geographical area. Use of magnets in or on toner bottles  35  and sensors  47  in image forming device  20  allows each toner bottle  35  to convey, and image forming device  20  to receive, information regarding toner bottle  35  without the use of expensive smart chips and other memory therein. The manner in which the information is provided in the magnetic field will be described in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 3  shows interior components of toner bottle  35  and sensors  47  of image forming device  20  according to one example embodiment. Sensors  47  are each spaced from toner bottle  35  when toner bottle  35  is in its installed position in image forming device  20 . In the example embodiment illustrated, toner bottle  35  includes an elongated housing  302  that has an interior wall  304  forming a reservoir  306  for storing consumable material. As shown, housing  302  has a generally cylindrical shape and extends along a lengthwise dimension of toner bottle  35  to define a front end  308  and a rear end  310  of toner bottle  35 . It is understood that housing  302  may have a shape other than a generally cylindrical shape. Rear end  310  is first to engage with image forming device  20  upon installation of toner bottle  35  therein. An outlet port  312  may be positioned at a bottom of housing  302  near rear end  310  for supplying consumable material, in this case toner, to imaging unit  32  in image forming device  20 . In particular, consumable material is periodically delivered from reservoir  306  through the outlet port to an inlet port of a corresponding imaging unit  32  to refill a reservoir of imaging unit  32  as consumable material is consumed during the EP printing process. As desired, outlet port  312  may have a shutter or a cover (not shown) that is movable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and preventing consumable material from flowing out of toner bottle  35 , and an open position permitting consumable material flow to the inlet port of imaging unit  32 . 
     In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a rotatable shaft  320  extends along the length of toner bottle  35  within reservoir  306 . As desired, the ends of rotatable shaft  320  may be received in bushings or bearings located adjacent and/or coupled to front and rear ends  308 ,  310 . A paddle assembly  330  is mounted on and rotatable with shaft  320  to stir and move consumable material within reservoir  306 . In one embodiment, shaft  320  is composed of steel to handle high torque loads resulting from resistance to rotation of paddle assembly  330  due to consumable material in reservoir  306 . This resistance is particularly high when toner bottle  35  is unused for a long period of time such as during shipping or storage which may cause the consumable material in reservoir  306  to pack. In an alternative embodiment, shaft  320  and the other components of toner bottle  35 , such as interior components forming reservoir  306  are composed of rigid plastic or other non-magnetic material to have little to no effect on the magnetic fields used by toner bottle  35  to communicate with sensor(s)  47 . 
     In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , paddle assembly  330  includes paddles A, B, C, and D mounted along shaft  320  from front end  308  to rear end  310 . Each of paddles A, B, C, and D includes a pair of arms  332  extending radially from shaft  320  and toward interior wall  304 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the direction of radial extension from shaft  320  of pairs of arms  332  alternate by about 180 degrees along a length of shaft  320 . Each paddle A-D further includes a crossbeam  334  disposed between a corresponding pair of arms  332  and positioned substantially near interior wall  304 . Crossbeams  334   a ,  334   b ,  334   c  and  334   d  of paddles A, B, C and D, respectively, are consumable material-moving members that direct consumable material toward the outlet port. Although four (4) paddles A, B, C, D are shown, the number of paddles required may depend on a number of features and characteristics of toner bottle  35 , including the angle of each crossbeam  334  relative to the longitudinal axis of shaft  320 . 
     In this example embodiment, magnetic members  340   a ,  340   b ,  340   c ,  340   d  are coupled to shaft  320  so as to rotate therewith in, for example, a direction R. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , magnetic members  340   a ,  340   b ,  340   c  and  340   d  are mounted on paddle assembly  330 , specifically on crossbeams  334   a ,  334   b ,  334   c  and  334   d , respectively. Magnetic members  340  may be made of a ferrite material or Neodymium, for example. Magnetic members  340  each generate a magnetic field that includes magnetic field lines propagating from a magnetic north (N) pole to a magnetic south (S) pole. By rotating magnetic members  340  relative to sensors  47 , a toner bottle  35  is able to convey information about the toner bottle  35 . This information may include, for example, consumable material type/color, shipment geography, country of origin (manufacture), and other characteristics regarding toner bottle  35 . 
     The information collected by controller  26  may be based on an absence or a presence of a magnetic member(s)  340  on a corresponding paddle A-D. For example, in this embodiment, the absence of magnetic member  340   a  on paddle A at one sampling interval would indicate a binary 0 value while the presence of magnetic member  340   a  on paddle A in the same sampling interval would indicate a binary 1 value. In an example embodiment, up to two magnetic members  340  in toner bottle  35  may be used and assuming there are only two locations for the two magnetic members  340 , two bits of information, corresponding to 2 2  or four (4) possible combinations, are available for specifying information relating to toner bottle  35 . With respect to  FIG. 3 , up to four magnetic members  340 , and assuming there are only four possible locations therefor in toner bottle  35 , a 4-bit digital signature is created having 2 4  or 16 possible combinations for specifying information relating to toner bottle  35 . 
     The above description for generating a 2-bit and a 4-bit digital signature assumes that there is only one possible location for each magnetic member  340  on paddles A-D or otherwise within toner bottle  35 . It is further assumed that a suitable number of sensors  47  are used for detecting the presence or absence of each magnetic member  340 . In an example embodiment of  FIG. 3 , each paddle A-D may hold no more than one magnetic member  340  and a sensor  47  may be employed in image forming device  20  for each paddle A-D. It is understood that the number of bits in the digital signature generated by magnetic members  340  may be increased by allowing for one or more magnetic members  340  to be placed in more than one possible location along a corresponding paddle A-D. Referring again to  FIG. 3 , in another example embodiment, each magnetic member  340  may be placed in any one of a plurality of positions along a corresponding paddle A-D. In this case, the positions may be center or any length left or right of the center along the corresponding paddle A-D, resulting in three possible locations for each magnetic member  340 . Being able to position a magnetic member  340 , and the ability to detect magnetic member  340 , in any one of multiple locations along a corresponding paddle A-D, and thus located in a direction along the longitudinal axis of shaft  320 , results in magnetic member  340  being able to be located closer or farther away from a corresponding sensor(s)  47 , thereby providing the ability to further vary the magnetic field strength detected thereby. This ability to further vary the magnetic field strength detectable by sensor(s)  47  increases the size of the digital signature generated by toner bottle  35 . With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , for toner bottle  35  having up to four magnetic members  340   a - 340   d , image forming device  20  has four magnetic sensors  47   a - 47   d  so that a distinct sensor  47  is capable of reading the magnetic field contribution by the presence or absence of its corresponding magnetic member  340 . In this case, each sensor  47  is positioned within image forming device  20  so that its corresponding magnetic member  340 , if present, passes proximally thereto during a revolution of shaft  320 . It is understood that a different number of sensors  47  may be utilized by image forming device  20  for sensing the magnetic field generated by magnetic members  340 . For example, depending upon the sensitivity of sensors  47 , a lesser number of sensors  47  may be utilized than the maximum number of magnetic members  340  in an effort to reduce the cost of image forming device  20 .  FIG. 3  also illustrates an embodiment in which only two sensors  47   e  and  47   f  are utilized, for detecting the magnetic field generated by the present or absence of magnetic members  340   a - 340   d . Specifically, magnetic members  340   a - 340   d  are assumed to have substantially equal magnetic strength. Sensor  47   e , which detects the presence/absence of magnetic members  340   a  and  340   b , is offset from a central location between magnetic members  340   a  and  340   b  so that the magnetic field contribution from one magnetic member  340   a - 340   b  is distinguishable from the other. Similarly, sensor  47   f , which detects the presence/absence of magnetic members  340   c  and  340   d , is offset from a central location between magnetic members  340   c  and  340   d  so that the magnetic field contribution from one magnetic member  340   c - 340   d  is distinguishable from the other. In another alternative embodiment, a single sensor  47   g  ( FIG. 3 ) may be employed to detect the presence/absence of each of magnetic members  340   a - 340   d . Sensor  47   g  may be located relative to the predetermined locations for receiving magnetic members  340   a - 340   d  so that the distance to each magnetic member  340  location is unique. In this way, sensor  47   g  may be capable of distinguishing the contribution to the magnetic field by each magnetic member  340   a - 340   d.    
     In another example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , more than one magnetic member  345  may be placed on the crossbeam  334  of each paddle A-D. Having multiple magnetic members  345  on a paddle allows for more variation in the magnetic field generated for detection by sensor(s)  47  and collection by controller  26 , thereby further increasing the size of the digital signature of the generated magnetic field. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a paddle crossbeam  334  includes four locations disposed along the longitudinal direction of crossbeam  334 , with each location capable of receiving a magnetic member  345 . As a result, in this embodiment a single paddle A-D may contain 2 4  or 16 bits of information relating to toner bottle  35 . It is understood, however, that the number of locations on a single paddle A-D that is each capable of receiving a magnetic member  345  may be greater than or less than four. It is also understood that the locations for receiving magnetic members  335  on a paddle A-D are not limited to locations on crossbeam  334  and may include locations on arms  332 . Because the distance between a location on arm  332  and a sensor(s)  47  is potentially greater than the distance between a location on crossbeam  334  and the sensor(s)  47 , and assuming that the sensor(s)  47  is capable of detecting a difference in magnetic fields generated by a magnetic member  345  on crossbeam  334  and the magnetic field generated by a magnetic member  345  on an arm  332 , having locations for receiving magnetic members  345  on both crossbeam  334  and arms  332  allow for the locations for receiving magnetic member  345  being along both the axial and radial directions of shaft  320  for varying the overall magnetic field generated and thereby providing even more information that can conveyed by a single paddle A-D. 
     Further, the number and placement of sensors  47  in image forming device  20  may vary based upon a number of factors, such as the sensitivity of sensor(s)  47 , the magnetic strengths of each magnetic member  345 , etc., as discussed with respect to toner bottle  35  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows, in one embodiment, the use of a sensor  47  for each potential location of a magnetic member  345  and in other embodiments, the use of lesser numbers of sensors (two sensors  47   k  and one sensor  47   m ). In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a magnetic member  345  at a particular location on the paddle may indicate a logic 1 value or logic 0 value, respectively. 
     The embodiments discussed above may use magnets of substantially the same size and magnetic strength. Alternatively, magnets of differing sizes and/or strengths can be used. In this way, the particular placement or absence of a sensor  47  relative to magnets  340 ,  345  may not be critical so long as the strengths of magnets  340 ,  345  sufficiently vary from each other. As a result, the differing sizes/strengths of magnetic members  340 ,  345  provide more flexibility and more capability to read information communicated by toner bottle  35 . In another alternative example embodiment, depending upon the strength of each magnetic member  340  and the sensitivity of sensor  47 , it may be more feasible to use a single sensor  47   g  positioned at the center along the length of toner bottle  35  to detect magnetic members  340  without offsetting of the sensor therefrom. Similarly, a single sensor  47   m  positioned at the center along a length of crossbeam  334  may detect magnetic members  345  that have different magnetic strengths. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional end view of toner bottle  35  according to another example embodiment. Whereas the angular orientation of paddles A-D in  FIG. 3  are generally at 0 and 180 degrees relative to each other, in the example embodiment of  FIG. 5 , one or more paddles A-D may be disposed at additional angles between 0 and 360 degrees. Magnetic members  340  are angularly displaced from each other about shaft  320 . In  FIG. 5 , paddle D (with magnetic member  340   d ) forms angle Ø DC  with paddle C (and magnetic member  340   c ) that is about 45 degrees; paddle C forms angle Ø CB  with paddle B (having magnetic member  340   b ) that is about 135 degrees; paddle B forms angle Ø BA  with paddle A (having magnetic member  340   a ) that is about 90 degrees; and paddle A forms angle Ø AD  with paddle D that is about 90 degrees. The positioning of paddles A, B, C and D corresponds to angles of about 90, 180, 315 and 0 degrees, respectively, with reference to the location of sensors  47  in  FIG. 5 . It is understood that, similar to the potential use of one or more sensors  47  in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a single sensor  47  may be used in the embodiment of  FIG. 5  to sense the magnetic field rather than using plural sensors  47 . With the locations for receiving magnetic members  340  being positionable at angular orientations other than at 0 and 180 degrees, the ability to further vary the magnetic field strength detected by sensors  47  is provided, which thereby increases the amount of information that may be maintained toner bottle  35 . 
     In one embodiment, paddles A-D are created with a single tooled piece of plastic such that a new sequence of paddles A-D for each sequence of angular positions requires a new tooled part. In an alternative embodiment, the paddles are tooled individually and each locked into place around shaft  320 . For example, paddles A-D in  FIG. 5  may be tooled separately from each other to allow for varying the specific angular position for each paddle A-D, which thereby allows for varying the angular positioning of magnetic members  340   a - 340   d  mounted thereon. In yet another alternative embodiment, magnetic members  340  may include electromagnets, or movable magnets on servos. 
     Since the rotational speed of paddles A-D and the corresponding locations for receiving magnetic members  340  are known, the relative angles Ø between paddles A-D and therefore between locations for receiving magnetic members  340  may be easily determined by controller  26  following sampling of the magnetic field by sensors  47  (or sensor  47 , if only one sensor  47  is utilized). For example, as magnetic member  340   d  passes its sensor  47  and then magnetic member  340   c  passes its sensor  47 , a value of angle Ø DC  is determined by controller  26  based on sampled readings from sensors  47 . Upon determining the angular orientation of the presence or absence of magnetic members  340 , controller  26  is able to determine the information regarding toner bottle  35  corresponding to the determined angular orientations. As before, the presence or absence of a magnetic member  340  at a particular (angular) position may indicate a logic 1 value or logic 0 value, respectively. 
     Instead of determining information based upon the relative angular displacements of paddles A-D, in another example embodiment, paddles A-D may be angularly disposed relative to a home position of shaft  320 . The home position of shaft  320  may be identified using any of a number of known techniques. The home position of shaft  320  may be detected optically with, for example, shaft  320  having an encoder wheel or disk on which a mark is placed indicating the home position. The home position of shaft  320  may also be detected optically by shaft  320  with a tab that is detectable by an optical sensor. The home position of shaft  320  may be detected electromechanically by including a notch or chamfer on shaft  320  which is detectable by a spring loaded tab and sensor and/or switch. With the home position of shaft  320  known, and with the presence/absence of magnetic member(s)  340  angularly disposed or displaced from the home position, the information corresponding to the generated magnetic field is based at least in part upon the absolute angular displacement(s).  FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views of interior components of toner bottle  35  according to two additional example embodiments. In the example embodiments illustrated, one or more disk members  360  are coupled to shaft  320  and are mounted with magnetic members  366 ,  370 . In particular, disk members  360  are mounted on shaft  320  so as to rotate therewith in, for example, the direction R. Each disk member  360  includes opposed planar surfaces  380  and circumferential surface  390  disposed between planar surfaces  380 . One or more magnetic members  366  is selectively positioned along planar surface(s)  380  and/or circumferential surface  390  of each disk member  360 . Mounting magnetic members  366 ,  370  along circumferential surface  390  and/or along the outer portions of planar surfaces  380  result in magnetic members  366 ,  370  having angular displacements relative to each other and/or to a home position of shaft  320 . As discussed with respect to toner bottle  35  of  FIG. 5 , the angular displacements of magnetic members may be used to indicate information relating to toner bottle  35 . The potential locations for and potential orientations of magnetic members  366  on disk members  360 , as well as the number and potential locations of disk members  360  along shaft  320 , affect the magnetic field generated by magnetic members  366  and thus are used to indicate information relating to toner bottle  35 . This may result in the number of bits of the digital signature of toner bottle  35  being noticeably larger than the number of bits in the digital signature of toner bottle  35  in  FIG. 3 . As before, the presence or absence of a magnetic member  340  at each particular (e.g., angular) position or location on a disk member  360  may indicate a logic 1 value or logic 0 value, respectively. 
     Disk members  360  are made of rigid plastic material to stably support magnetic members  366 . Alternatively, disk members  360  may be composed of metal for greater strength and rigidity as long as the effect of metal material on magnetic fields generated by magnetic members  366 ,  370  is compensated for or otherwise taken into account when collecting samples of the generated magnetic field. 
     In order to avoid interference between disk members  360  and paddles A-D, disk members  360  may have any number of different sizes and/or shapes. In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , two different disk members  360  are illustrated. Each disk member  360  associated with paddles A and B is sized to fit within the open space of its corresponding paddle. Alternatively, disk members  360 , such as disk members  360  that are associated with paddles C and D, may have substantially the same length (radius) as the length of paddles C and D. As shown, disk members  360  associated with paddles C and D each has a cutout portion in which a corresponding paddle is disposed. Both smaller sized disk members  360  associated with paddles A-B and disk members  360  having the cutout portions ensure there is little to no interference with the ability of paddles A-D to agitate and move consumable material. These substantially interference-free associations allow paddles A-D to freely agitate and direct consumable material to the outlet port  312  of toner bottle  35 , and also allow magnetic members  366  to provide a magnetic field having therein information concerning toner bottle  35 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 6 , it is understood that one or more sensors  47  may be disposed in image forming device  20  in a similar manner as described in  FIG. 3  for sensing the magnetic field generated by magnetic members  366 . In one embodiment, each disk member  360  may be associated with a distinct sensor  47 . Alternatively, as a measure to reduce the cost of image forming device  20 , the number of sensors  47  may be less than the number of disk members  366 , such as one sensor  47   n  for each pair of disk members  360 , and one sensor  47   p  for four disk members  360 . The particular number and location of sensors  47  may be based on a number of factors including cost, the sensitivity of sensors  47 , whether magnetic members  366  of varying strengths are utilized, etc. 
     In  FIG. 7 , disk member  360  is mounted on shaft  320  and positioned between paddle D and rear wall  310 . Magnetic members  370  are mounted along a circumferential surface  390  of disk member  360  at different locations. It is understood that in addition or in the alternative, magnetic members  370  may be disposed along the planar surfaces of disk member  360  at different locations, such as around the outer portion thereof. The locations, on circumferential surface  390  and/or the planar surfaces of disk member  360 , ensure that angular and radial displacement exists between magnetic members  370  to provide information relating to toner bottle  35  in a similar manner to that of paddles A-D being angularly displaced from each other about shaft  320  in  FIG. 5 . With disk member  360  positioned at a location along the length of shaft  320  at least partly spaced from paddles A-D, disk member  360  does not interfere with paddles A-D agitating consumable material and directing consumable material toward the outlet port of toner bottle  35 . With this design, only a single sensor  47  is needed for detecting the magnetic field generated by magnetic members  370 , though more than one sensor  47  may be used for, for example, faster and/or more accurate detection of the magnetic field. 
     Similar to the example embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the angular measurement in magnetic members  370  on disk member  360  is a relative or absolute measurement of angles, but this time, on circumferential surface  390  of disk member  360  in  FIG. 7 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated, samples of the magnetic field are collected as disk member  360  is rotated. Because the rotational speed of shaft  320  and thus disk member  360  is known, the presence or absence of a magnetic member  370  at particular angular displacement locations along disk member  360  can be determined by controller  26  from the collected samples and from such determination, a logic 1 value or logic 0 value may be assigned for a bit value in the digital signature for toner bottle  35 . Additional locations for potentially receiving magnetic members  370  on disk member  360  (e.g. on its planar surface(s) or circumferential surface  390 ) can provide correspondingly more information, in the form of bit values of the digital signature, as described above. 
       FIG. 8  is a cutaway perspective view of toner bottle  35  and sensor(s)  47 . In this example embodiment, toner bottle  35  includes an end cap  388 . End cap  388  is disposed at an end of toner bottle  35  (e.g. its rear end  310 ) and defines a space that is separated and/or isolated from reservoir  306  of toner bottle  35 . In the example embodiment illustrated, end cap  388  has at least a portion that is rotatably coupled to shaft  320  so as to rotate therewith in, for example, the direction R. Magnetic members  372  are mounted within end cap  388  and rotate with shaft  320 . In an example embodiment, end cap  388  includes a disk member  360  disposed within end cap  388  and coupled to shaft  320  for rotation therewith, with magnetic members  372  mounted to disk member  360 . Magnetic members  372  may be mounted to the planar surface  380  of disk member  360  or the circumferential surface  390  thereof. For example, magnetic members  372  may be mounted to planar surface  380  of disk member  360  in a two dimensional array. 
     Similar to rotating magnetic members  366  and  370  in  FIGS. 6-7 , the presence or absence of magnetic members  372  in a particular location along disk  360  in  FIG. 8  communicate information relating to toner bottle  35  to image forming device  20  via sensor(s)  47 . However, in this example embodiment, one or more sensor(s)  47  are each mounted in image forming device  20  in such a way that sensor(s)  47  faces rear end  310  of toner bottle  35  when toner bottle  35  is installed in image forming device  20 . The number and location of sensors  47  utilized may vary and be based upon a number of factors, as explained above. 
     During magnetic field measurement collecting, sensor(s)  47  detect the magnetic field from magnetic members  372  so that, based on the known rotation speed of shaft  320  and the known potential locations for magnetic members  372  in end cap  388 , controller  26  is able to determine, at each potential location, the presence or absence of a magnetic member  372  thereat and with that determine the information conveyed in the magnetic field for a bit location in the digital signature for toner bottle  35 , similar to previous example embodiments described above. 
     In another example embodiment, sensor(s)  47  are mounted on image forming device  20  to face a circumferential outer surface of end cap  388 . Magnetic members  372  may be disposed within end cap  388  similar to magnetic members  366  and  370  on disk member(s)  360  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively, so as to directly face the sensor(s). 
     In the example embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8 , mechanical members (e.g. disk members  360  and end cap  388 ) for mounting and supporting magnetic members are disposed within or mounted on toner bottle  35  for rotating with a driven interior component (e.g. shaft  320 ). It is understood that any driven interior component rotating in toner bottle  35  may instead be used for moving the magnetic members. 
     In the above illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3-7 , one or more magnetic members is disposed within reservoir  306  of toner bottle  35 . It is understood that magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) consumable material would be adversely affected by the presence of magnetic members in reservoir  306  of toner bottle  35  and thus magnetic members would not be placed therein. Instead, a MICR replaceable unit  35  may utilize an end cap  388  as shown in  FIG. 8  that is substantially shielded from reservoir  306  so as to prevent interaction between magnetic members  372  and MICR consumable material therein. Conversely, in another embodiment, the detection of no magnets in toner bottle  35  by sensor(s)  47  may indicate that image forming device  20  is able to run in a MICR mode for printing MICR consumable material from a MICR replaceable unit. 
     The example embodiments have been described above in the context of a replaceable toner bottle for an electrophotographic printing device. It is understood that other embodiments may be directed to a replaceable unit for any of a number of devices, such as an inkjet printing device or a 3D printing device. The consumable material of the replaceable unit may be any flowable material, including plastic, ink, or metal powder. Such replaceable units would include a rotatable shaft as described above and, depending upon the particular architecture of the device and corresponding replaceable unit and the type of consumable material contained therein, may include a paddle assembly coupled to the rotatable shaft so as to rotate therewith. 
     The foregoing description of several example embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.