IP Library Granted Patent US 7,099,606
Granted Patent B2
US 7,099,606 · App. 11/225,740 · Granted Aug 29, 2006

Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components

Assignee: Static Control Components, Inc.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,099,606
App. No.
11/225,740
Granted
Aug 29, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of remanufacturing a replaceable consumable unit includes providing the replaceable consumable unit including a first electronic circuit, with the first electronic circuit being at least partially inoperable; providing a second electronic circuit; communicatively connecting the second electronic circuit to the first electronic circuit; and intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit.

Claims (59)

1. A method of remanufacturing a replaceable consumable unit comprising:

providing the replaceable consumable unit comprising a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable;

providing a second electronic circuit;

communicatively connecting the second electronic circuit to the first electronic circuit;

intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit; and

transmitting, by the second electronic circuit, a portion of the intercepted signals to the first electronic circuit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the intercepted signals transmitted to the first electronic circuit comprise at least a portion of an authentication sequence.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

processing, by the second electronic circuit, intercepted signals not transmitted to the first electronic circuit.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the intercepted signals processed by the second electronic circuit comprise commands to write memory storing a value corresponding to an amount of toner remaining in the replaceable consumable unit.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the intercepted signals processed by the second electronic circuit comprise commands to read memory storing a value corresponding to an amount of toner remaining in the replaceable consumable unit.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by the first electronic circuit to the imaging system.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

transmitting, by the second electronic circuit, to the imaging system at least a portion of the signals intercepted from the first electronic circuit.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the signals transmitted to the imaging system comprise at least a portion of an authentication sequence.

11. A method of remanufacturing a replaceable consumable unit comprising:

providing the replaceable consumable unit comprising a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable;

providing a second electronic circuit;

communicatively connecting the second electronic circuit to the first electronic circuit; and

intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit,

wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten,

wherein the value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit, and

wherein the intercepted signals comprise a command to read the memory address.

12. A method of remanufacturing a replaceable consumable unit comprising:

providing the replaceable consumable unit comprising a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable;

providing a second electronic circuit;

communicatively connecting the second electronic circuit to the first electronic circuit; and

intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit,

wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten,

wherein the value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit, and

wherein the intercepted signals comprise a command to write the memory address.

13. A remanufactured replaceable consumable unit comprising:

a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable; and

a second electronic circuit communicatively connected to the first electronic circuit, said second electronic circuit intercepting signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit

wherein the second electronic circuit transmits a portion of the intercepted signals to the first electronic circuit.

14. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 13 wherein the intercepted signals transmitted to the first electronic circuit comprise at least a portion of an authentication sequence.

15. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 14 wherein the second electronic circuit processes intercepted signals not transmitted to the first electronic circuit.

16. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 15 wherein the intercepted signals processed by the second electronic circuit comprise commands to write memory storing a value corresponding to an amount of toner remaining in the replaceable consumable unit.

17. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 15 wherein the intercepted signals processed by the second electronic circuit comprise commands to read memory storing a value corresponding to an amount of toner remaining in the replaceable consumable unit.

18. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 13 wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten.

19. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 18 wherein a value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit.

20. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 13 wherein the second electronic circuit intercepts signals sent by the first electronic circuit to the imaging system.

21. The remanufactured replaceable consumable unit of claim 20 wherein the second electronic circuit transmits to the imaging system at least a portion of the signals intercepted from the first electronic circuit.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the signals transmitted to the imaging system comprise at least a portion of an authentication sequence.

23. A remanufactured replaceable consumable unit comprising:

a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable; and

a second electronic circuit communicatively connected to the first electronic circuit, said second electronic circuit intercepting signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit,

wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten,

wherein a value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit, and

wherein the intercepted signals comprise a command to read the memory address.

24. A remanufactured replaceable consumable unit comprising:

a first electronic circuit, said first electronic circuit at least partially inoperable; and

a second electronic circuit communicatively connected to the first electronic circuit, said second electronic circuit intercepting signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit,

wherein the first electronic circuit comprises a memory address which cannot be overwritten,

wherein a value stored at the memory address indicates that no useable toner remains in the replaceable consumable unit, and

wherein the intercepted signals comprise a command to write the memory address.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.; SC COMPONENTS CANADA, INC.; LEE AVENUE PROPERTIES, INC.; SANTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 066782/0781 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055327/0513 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
To: APEX SEMICONDUCTORS (USA) COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 054727/0735 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 23, 2016
From: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.; SANTRONICS, INC.; SC COMPONENTS CANADA, INC.; LEE AVENUE PROPERTIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 041182/0601 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
To: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 035465/0673 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT SERIAL NO. INCORRECLTY LISTED AS 11330660 TO THE CORRECT 11330600 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 019254 FRAME 0424. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded May 9, 2007
From: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 019265/0218 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 7, 2007
From: STATIC CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 019254/0424 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 1078098800 · Feb 18, 2004
Continuation In Part 1064161700 · Aug 15, 2003
Related Publication 20060008293A1 · Jan 12, 2006