System for managing replaceable modules in a digital printing apparatus

US6940613B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Xerox Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael E. Beard · Spring, US
• Roger W. Budnik · Rochester, US
• James M. Pacer · Webster, US
• Guru B. Raj · Hillsboro, US
• Ralph A. Shoemaker · Rochester, US
• Michael G. Swales · Sodus, US
• David E. Rollins · Lyons, US
• Porfirio J. Perez · Walworth, US
• Ameet S. Bhattacharya · Rochester, US
• David P. VanBortel · Macedon, US
• Steven E. Kolb · Estero, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 25, 1997
• Grant date: Sep 6, 2005
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2221/1838
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrophotographic printing or copying machine includes a functional module which can be readily removed and replaced by service personnel. The module includes a monitor in the form of an electronically-readable memory, which includes information about how the particular module is to be operated. A distribution board electronically accesses the memories within the monitors and reads therefrom information, such as how much voltage to supply to different components within each module. The distribution board can also update the number of prints made with each module, and maintain this count within the monitors.