Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for toner identification

US7289133B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 2003
Grant dateOct 30, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 12, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0695
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A simple and economical method and apparatus for identifying the toner installed in a multi-toner printer by identifying the toner holder installed in the printer is disclosed. Additionally, the multi-toner printer is controlled based on the toner holder installed and a job selection. A toner identification apparatus comprising a toner identification module, a display device, and an input device, identifies the toner holder installed in a multi-toner printer by producing and identifying a unique voltage identification signal for the installed toner holder. A job selection algorithm determines whether the installed toner holder is the correct toner holder for a specified job selection. Additionally, if the toner holder installed in the multi-toner printer contains MICR toner, the job selection algorithm mandates a security procedure that must be carried out in order for printing to be allowed. In response to the job selection algorithm, the toner identification apparatus creates a control signal that instructs a control device of a multi-toner printer whether to allow a selected print job.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.