Thermal print head usage monitor and method for using the monitor
View Patent ↗An example disclosed print head includes memory to store data associated with the print head; and a controller to encrypt a communication including the data stored in the memory, wherein the communication is to be transmitted from the print head to a device.
1. A print head comprising:
memory to store usage data associated with the print head; and
a controller to encrypt a communication including the usage data stored in the memory, wherein the encrypted communication is to be transmitted from the print head to a device.
2. A print head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the controller requires a password prior to transmitting the usage data stored in the memory.
3. A print head as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a print head driver circuit, wherein the usage data associated with the print head is obtained via the print head driver circuit.
4. A print head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device is an operating system in communication with the print head.
5. A print head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the controller is to encrypt the communication in response to a request from the device.
6. A print head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of an operation of the print head.
7. A print head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of a characteristic of the print head.
8. A print head as defined in claim 1 , further comprising an interface wherein the encrypted communication is to be transmitted from the print head to the device via the interface.
9. A method, comprising:
storing usage data associated with a print head in memory, wherein the memory is integral with the print head;
encrypting, via a controller of the print head, a communication including the usage data stored in the memory; and
conveying the encrypted communication from the print head to a device.
10. A method as defined in claim 9 , further comprising monitoring for an external request for the usage data stored in the memory.
11. A method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the encrypting of the communication is performed in response to the external request.
12. A method as defined in claim 11 , wherein the external request is received from the device.
13. A method as defined in claim 9 , further comprising requiring a password prior to providing access to the usage data stored in the memory.
14. A method as defined in claim 9 , wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of an operation of the print head.
15. A method as defined in claim 9 , wherein the usage data associated with the print head comprises information representative of a characteristic of the print head.
16. A method as defined in claim 9 , wherein the device is an operating system in communication with the print head.
17. A microcontroller implemented on a print head having memory integral with the print head, the microcontroller comprising:
a logic circuit configured to:
monitor an interface for an external request for printhead usage data stored in the memory; and
in response to receiving the external request, encrypt a data transmission including the printhead usage data stored in the memory prior to conveyance of the data transmission to a device.
18. A microcontroller as defined in claim 17 , wherein the device is external to the print head.