Systems and methods for universal imaging components

1. A method of operating an imaging cartridge installed in an imaging device, the imaging cartridge comprising a cartridge chip, the method comprising:

determining, by the cartridge chip, if the imaging device is a first type of imaging device or a second type of imaging device;

operating the cartridge chip in a first mode of operation if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device; and

operating the cartridge chip in a second mode of operation if the imaging device is the second type of imaging device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining further comprises:

monitoring the timing of communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the timing of the communication signals.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining further comprises:

monitoring the voltage level of communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the voltage level of the communication signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining further comprises:

monitoring the content of communication signals received from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the content of the communication signals.

5. The method of clam 4 wherein the step of monitoring further comprises:

monitoring one or more particular addresses read from or written to a memory element of the cartridge chip.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of monitoring further comprises:

monitoring an identification number received from the imaging device, said identification number identifying the type of the imaging device.

7. A cartridge chip for use with an imaging cartridge installed in an imaging device, the cartridge chip comprising:

a memory element storing imaging cartridge data; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the cartridge chip and determining if the imaging device is a first type of imaging device or a second type of imaging device, said controller for operating the cartridge chip in a first mode of operation if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device, said controller for operating the cartridge chip in a second mode of operation if the imaging device is the second type of imaging device.

8. The cartridge chip of claim 7 wherein the controller is adapted for:

monitoring the timing of communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the timing of the communication signals.

9. The cartridge chip of claim 7 wherein the controller is adapted for:

monitoring the voltage level of communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the voltage level of the communication signals.

10. The cartridge chip of claim 7 wherein the controller is adapted for:

monitoring the content of communication signals received from the imaging device; and

determining if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device based on the content of the communication signals.

11. The cartridge chip of claim 10 wherein the controller is adapted for:

monitoring one or more particular addresses read from or written to a memory element of the cartridge chip.

12. The cartridge chip of claim 10 wherein the controller is adapted for:

monitoring an identification number received from the imaging device, said identification number identifying the type of the imaging device.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for controlling a cartridge chip comprising a memory element for an imaging cartridge comprising:

a determining code segment for determining if an imaging device is a first type of imaging device or a second type of imaging device; and

an operating code segment for operating the cartridge chip in a first mode of operation if the imaging device is determined to be the first type of imaging device and operating the cartridge chip in a second mode of operation if the imaging device is determined to be the second type of imaging device.

14. The computer program of claim 13 wherein the determining code segment monitors communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device to determine if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device.

15. The computer program of claim 14 wherein the determining code segment monitors the timing, voltage level, sequence, protocol or content of the communication signals received by the cartridge chip from the imaging device to determine if the imaging device is the first type of imaging device or the second type of imaging device.

16. A cartridge chip for use with an imaging cartridge installed in an imaging device, the cartridge chip comprising:

a memory element storing imaging cartridge data; and

a controller for controlling the operation the cartridge chip and determining if the imaging cartridge is a first type of imaging cartridge or a second type of imaging cartridge, said controller for operating the cartridge chip in a first mode of operation if the imaging cartridge is the first type of imaging cartridge, said controller for operating the cartridge chip in a second mode of operation if the imaging cartridge is the second type of imaging cartridge.