Systems and methods for imaging components

1. A method of configuring a cartridge chip for an imaging cartridge comprising:

providing the cartridge chip comprising a controller and a conductive element connected between the controller and a reference potential, said cartridge chip adapted for operation in a first mode of operation compatible with a first type of imaging cartridge when the controller detects the reference potential through the conductive element, said cartridge chip adapted for operation in a second mode of operation compatible with a second type of imaging cartridge when the controller cannot detect the reference potential through the conductive element; and

instructing a user to remove at least a portion of the conductive element from the cartridge chip if the imaging cartridge is the second type of imaging cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cartridge chip comprises a memory element and wherein:

when the cartridge chip is operating in the first mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a first value when an imaging device performs a read from a predetermined memory location in the memory element; and

when the cartridge chip is operating in the second mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a second value when the imaging device performs a read from the predetermined memory location in the memory element, said second value differing from the first value.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein both the first type of imaging cartridge and the second type of imaging cartridge are adapted for use in the same model of imaging device.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

attaching the cartridge chip to the imaging cartridge.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the first value is compatible with a first type of encoder wheel of the first type of imaging cartridge and the second value is compatible with a second type of encoder wheel of the second type of imaging cartridge.

6. A cartridge chip for attachment to a first type of imaging cartridge or a second type of imaging cartridge, the cartridge chip comprising:

a controller and a conductive element connected between the controller and a reference potential, said cartridge chip adapted for operation in a first mode of operation compatible with the first type of imaging cartridge when the controller detects the reference potential through the conductive element, said cartridge chip adapted for operation in a second mode of operation compatible with the second type of imaging cartridge when the controller does not detect the reference potential through the conductive element.

7. The cartridge chip of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the conductive element is adapted for removal from the cartridge chip if the imaging cartridge is the second type of imaging cartridge.

8. The cartridge chip of claim 7 wherein the cartridge chip comprises a memory element and wherein:

when the cartridge chip is operating in the first mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a first value when an imaging device performs a read from a predetermined memory location in the memory element; and

when the cartridge chip is operating in the second mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a second value when the imaging device performs a read from the predetermined memory location in the memory element, said second value differing from the first value.

9. The cartridge chip of claim 8 wherein both the first type of imaging cartridge and the second type of imaging cartridge are adapted for use in the same model of imaging device.

10. A cartridge chip for attachment to a first type of imaging cartridge or a second type of imaging cartridge, the cartridge chip comprising:

means for controlling the cartridge chip; and

a conductive element connected between the controller and a reference potential,

wherein said means for controlling the cartridge chip is adapted for operation in a first mode of operation compatible with the first type of imaging cartridge when the means for controlling the cartridge chip detects the reference potential through the conductive element,

wherein said means for controlling the cartridge chip is adapted for operation in a second mode of operation compatible with the second type of imaging cartridge when the means for controlling the cartridge chip does not detect the reference potential through the conductive element.

11. The cartridge chip of claim 10 wherein the conductive element is adapted for removal from the cartridge chip if the imaging cartridge is the second type of imaging cartridge.

12. The cartridge chip of claim 11 wherein the cartridge chip comprises a memory element and wherein:

when the means for controlling the cartridge chip is operating in the first mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a first value when an imaging device performs a read from a predetermined memory location in the memory element; and

when the means for controlling the cartridge chip is operating in the second mode of operation, the cartridge chip returns a second value when the imaging device performs a read from the predetermined memory location in the memory element, said second value differing from the first value.

13. The cartridge chip of claim 12 wherein both the first type of imaging cartridge and the second type of imaging cartridge are adapted for use in the same model of imaging device.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the conductive element comprises conductive ink.

15. The cartridge chip of claim 6 wherein the conductive element comprises conductive ink.

16. The cartridge chip of claim 10 wherein the conductive element comprises conductive ink.