IP Library Granted Patent US 12,073,206
Granted Patent B2
US 12,073,206 · App. 17/829,874 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Methods for updating an electronic device

Inventors: Stephen Porter Bush (Richmond, KY); Timothy John Rademacher (Richmond, KY); Jennifer Topmiller Williams (Lexington, KY)
Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
G06F8/654G06F21/44G06F21/572G06F2221/033
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 12,073,206
App. No.
17/829,874
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for updating an imaging device is described comprising, receiving update information comprising a compatibility update filter indicating which generations of supply item are compatible with the imaging device, and updating a compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information, the compatibility filter configured to control which generations of supply item are classified as compatible with the imaging device. An imaging device is also described that comprises firmware and a memory, the memory storing a compatibility filter configured to control which generations of supply item are classified as compatible, wherein the firmware is configured to read the compatibility filter, and the imaging device is configured to update the compatibility filter. Finally, an imaging device supply item is also described.

Claims (24)

1. A method for updating an imaging device, the method comprising:

receiving, by the imaging device, update information from a memory of a supply item connected to the imaging device, the update information comprising a compatibility update filter indicating which generations of supply item are compatible with the imaging device, and

updating a compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information, the compatibility filter configured to control which generations of supply item are classified as compatible with the imaging device,

wherein the compatibility filter is a mask and

wherein firmware of the imaging device is configured to use a bitwise AND of the compatibility filter with a generation identifier from a supply item to determine if the supply item is compatible.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the update information further comprises an update version value,

wherein updating the compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information comprises:

when the update version value indicates a newer version than the version value of the compatibility filter, updating the compatibility filter to match the compatibility update filter.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein updating the compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information further comprises: when the update version value does not indicate a newer version than the version value of the compatibility filter, retaining the compatibility filter unchanged.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the update information is included in a signed certificate.

5. The method of claim 4 , the method further comprising: verifying the signed certificate.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of verifying occurs before reading the update information from the signed certificate.

7. An imaging device, the imaging device comprising firmware and a memory, the memory storing a compatibility filter configured to control which generations of supply item are classified as compatible with the imaging device, wherein the firmware is configured to read the compatibility filter, and the imaging device is configured to update the compatibility filter, by:

receiving update information from a memory of a supply item connected to the imaging device, the update information comprising a compatibility update filter indicating which generations of supply item are compatible with the imaging device, and

updating the compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information

wherein the compatibility filter is a mask, and

wherein firmware of the imaging device is configured to use a bitwise AND of the compatibility filter with a generation identifier from a supply item to determine if the supply item is compatible.

8. The imaging device of claim 7 , wherein the imaging device memory further stores a version value of the compatibility filter, and the update information further comprises an update version value, and updating the compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information comprises:

when the update version value indicates a newer version than the version value of the compatibility filter, updating the compatibility filter to match the compatibility update filter.

9. The imaging device of claim 8 , wherein updating the compatibility filter of the imaging device based on the update information further comprises: when the update version value does not indicate a newer version than the version value of the compatibility filter, retaining the compatibility filter unchanged.

10. The imaging device of claim 7 , wherein the update information is included in a signed certificate.

11. The imaging device of claim 10 , the method further comprising: verifying the signed certificate.

12. The imaging device of claim 11 , wherein the step of verifying occurs before reading the update information from the signed certificate.

13. An imaging system comprising the imaging device of claim 7 and an imaging device supply item, the supply item comprising a memory, the memory storing update information, the update information comprising a compatibility update filter, and the supply item being configured to send the update information to an imaging device.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0192 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0293 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073007/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 073007/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2024
From: BUSH, STEPHEN PORTER; RADEMACHER, TIMOTHY JOHN; WILLIAMS, JENNIFER TOPMILLER
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 067153/0349 →