System and method for updating memories used to store information in a printing system
Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have a memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes storing a portion that stores a value indicative of an amount of a consumable that has been used. Discloses is a method and system for updating a memory that is integral to a component within a printing system. The value stored in the memory can be read to determine an amount of a consumable used. Alternatively, when a specific value is stored in the memory the printing system can deactivate the component.
1. A method of updating a memory module in an imaging device, comprising:
receiving, at one or more memory modules, a command transmitted from a processing device, wherein the command indicates to the one or more memory modules to punch out a specified bit in a punch bit field; and
storing a value in the one or more memory modules, wherein the value is stored in a plurality of bits located outside of the punch bit field and the value is indicative of a location of the specified bit in the punch bit field.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the specified bit in the punch bit field is not punched.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the command is indicative of usage of toner or ink in a consumable item in an imaging device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value is stored in binary coded decimal.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value is stored in inverted binary coded decimal.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving a read command signal; and
outputting the value in response to the read command signal.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a memory module is located on a Lexmark print cartridge.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a memory module is located on a print cartridge that was manufactured by a first manufacturer and the print cartridge is designed to be utilized in a printer manufactured by a second manufacturer different than the first manufacturer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein a memory module is located on a print cartridge that has been remanufactured.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is located on a print cartridge that was manufactured by a first manufacturer and the memory module was manufactured by a second manufacturer different than the first manufacturer.
11. A method of updating a memory module in an imaging device, comprising:
receiving, at one or more memory modules, a command transmitted from a processing device, wherein the command indicates to the one or more memory modules to punch out a specified bit in a punch bit field; and
storing a decimal value in the one or more memory modules, wherein the decimal value is stored in a plurality of bits located outside of the punch bit field and is indicative of a location of the specified bit in the punch bit field.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the decimal value is stored in an array in the one or more memory modules.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the array is part of a non-volatile memory.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
transmitting acknowledgement that the specified bit in the punch bit field has been punched even though the specified bit has not been punched.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the command is indicative of usage of toner or ink in a consumable item in an imaging device.
16. A method of updating a memory module in an imaging device, comprising:
receiving, at one or more memory modules, a command transmitted from a processing device, wherein the command indicates to the one or more memory modules to punch out a specified bit in the memory module by changing the specified bit from an erased state to a programmed state;
changing the specified bit in the memory module from a programmed state to an erased state;
transmitting acknowledgement that the specified bit has been punched;
receiving a read command;
inverting the specified bit in the memory module;
transmitting the inverted specified bit; and
saving the original value for the specified bit.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein punching out the specified bit changes the specified bit from a “1” to a “0”.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the memory module is an imaging device and the command is indicative of usage of toner or ink in a consumable item in the imaging device.
19. A method of updating a memory module in an imaging device, comprising:
receiving, at one or more memory modules, a command transmitted from a processing device, wherein the command indicates to the one or more memory modules to punch out a specified bit by changing the specified bit from a programmed state to an erased state;
changing the specified bit from an erased state to a programmed state;
transmitting acknowledgement that the specified bit has been punched;
receiving a read command;
inverting the specified bit in the memory module;
transmitting the inverted specified bit; and
saving the original value for the specified bit.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein punching out the specified bit changes the specified bit from a “0” to a “1”.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the memory module is an imaging device and the command is indicative of usage of toner or ink in a consumable item in the imaging device.
22. A printing system comprising:
at least one print cartridge having a memory, wherein the memory includes multiple storage locations; and
a communication path for providing command signals to the at least one print cartridge, wherein a host device transmits the command signals to the at least one print cartridge, the command signals including a punch bit command that indicates to the one or more memory modules to punch out a specified hit in a punch bit field, wherein a value indicative of a location of the specified bit is stored in the memory in a plurality of bits located outside of the punch bit field.
23. The printing system of claim 22 , wherein the memory has 32 bytes of memory allocated for storing values.
24. The printing system of claim 23 , wherein the value is stored as a binary coded decimal.
25. The printing system of claim 23 , wherein the value is stored as a binary coded decimal equivalent of an inverted value.
26. The printing system of claim 25 , wherein each inverted value has one or more bytes and each byte is stored as three nibbles of binary coded decimal.