Apparatus and method for toner refilling and system for printing

Abstract

According to an example, a toner refilling device may include a chamber for containing toner, wherein the chamber may include an insertion portion for insertion into a refill port of a toner cartridge and including a discharge opening, the refill port including a circuit component. The device may also include a valve mechanism located at the discharge opening to control the output of the toner from the chamber through the discharge opening, wherein an actuator may engage the valve mechanism and may controllably open the valve mechanism. The device may further include an electronic chip in electrical communication with the circuit component, wherein a controller may activate the actuator based on detection of contact between the electronic chip and the circuit component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of printing, and in particular, to toner refilling. Background Art

[0002] A printing device may form an image on a medium using toner stored in a toner cartridge. When using the toner to form an image, the toner in the toner cartridge may be exhausted. In some types of printing devices, the toner cartridge may be removed from the toner cartridge and replaced after the toner has been exhausted. In other types of printing devices, the toner cartridge may include a refill port through which toner may be supplied to the toner cartridge. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a toner refilling device is disclosed, comprising: a chamber for accommodating toner, the chamber comprising an insertion portion, the insertion portion being used to be inserted into a refilling port of a toner box and comprising a discharge opening, the refilling port comprising a circuit component; a valve mechanism located at the discharge opening to control the output of the toner from the chamber through the discharge opening, wherein an actuator is used to engage the valve mechanism and controllably open the valve mechanism; an electronic chip for electrically communicating with the circuit component, wherein a controller activates the actuator based on detection of contact between the electronic chip and the circuit component; and a release mechanism, wherein manipulation of the release mechanism completes a circuit connection between the electronic chip and the circuit component, and wherein completion of the circuit connection causes the controller to activate the actuator to open the discharge opening.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a system for printing is disclosed, comprising: a colorant cartridge; a refill port for receiving an insertion portion of a colorant refilling device, the colorant refilling device comprising an electronic chip and a valve mechanism, and the colorant refilling device having: a chamber for accommodating colorant, the chamber comprising the insertion portion and the insertion portion having a discharge opening; the valve mechanism located at the discharge opening; and a release mechanism for being manipulated by a user; a circuit component for electrically communicating with the electronic chip; an actuator for engaging the valve mechanism; and a controller for: determining whether to activate the actuator based on a determination of whether the circuit is in electrical communication with the electronic chip; activating the actuator to open the valve mechanism based on a determination that the actuator will be activated so that the colorant in the colorant refilling device flows into the colorant cartridge; determining whether the release mechanism has been manipulated; and determining that the actuator will be activated based on a determination that the release mechanism has been manipulated.

[0005] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for toner refilling is disclosed, comprising:

[0006] A controller determines whether a toner refilling device is correctly inserted into a refill port that is fluidly connected to a toner cartridge, and when the toner refilling device is correctly inserted into the refill port, an actuator contacts a valve mechanism of the toner refilling device; based on the determination that the toner refilling device is correctly inserted into the refill port, the controller determines whether a release mechanism on the toner refilling device has been manipulated; and based on the determination that the release mechanism has been manipulated, the controller activates the actuator to manipulate the valve mechanism of the toner refilling device so that the toner in the toner refilling device flows into the toner cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the following drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram depicting an example apparatus that may contain toner in a toner cartridge to be supplied to a printing device;

[0009] Figure 2A-2C A block diagram of an example system is shown, which may include Figure 1 The depicted apparatus and a printing device into which the apparatus may be inserted; and

[0010] Figure 3 A flow chart depicting an example method for activating an actuator to operate a valve mechanism in a toner refill device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] For the purpose of simplicity and illustration, the present disclosure is described by mainly referring to examples. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent that the present disclosure can be practiced without being limited to these specific details. In other examples, some methods and structures are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily covering up the present disclosure.

[0012] In the present disclosure, the terms "a" and "an" are intended to mean at least one of a particular element. As used herein, the term "includes" means including but not limited to, and the term "comprising" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means at least partially based on.

[0013] Disclosed herein are toner refilling devices, systems, and methods, wherein a controller may activate an actuator to manipulate a valve mechanism and control the supply of toner from the toner refilling device to a toner cartridge. In particular, the actuator may engage the valve mechanism when the toner refilling device is properly inserted into a refill port of a printing device. In addition, the controller may activate the actuator to move the valve mechanism from a position where the valve mechanism blocks a discharge opening in the toner refilling device to a position where toner can flow through the discharge opening. In some examples, the controller may automatically activate the actuator based on determining that the toner refilling device has been properly inserted into the refill port.

[0014] By implementing features of the present disclosure, after a user inserts the toner refilling device into the refilling port, the valve mechanism of the toner refilling device may be automatically controlled. In this regard, after inserting the toner refilling device into the refilling port, the user may not perform other actions, such as rotating the toner refilling device. Thus, the toner cartridge may be refilled with toner from the toner refilling device with a reduced number or limited user operations, which may result in a reduced number of errors that may occur during the toner refilling operation.

[0015] First reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an example apparatus 100 that may contain toner in a toner cartridge to be supplied to a printing device. It should be understood that Figure 1 The device 100 depicted in FIG. 1 may include additional features, and some of the features described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the device 100 .

[0016] The device 100, which may also be referred to as a toner refilling device 100, can contain toner 102 and can include features for delivering toner 102 to a refillable toner cartridge (not shown). Thus, for example, the device 100 can be used to refill a toner cartridge of a printing device (not shown) with toner 102, rather than replacing the toner cartridge with a new toner cartridge. The toner 102 can be a powder mixture, and the printing system can be used to print black and / or color text and images on a medium such as paper. The printing system can be a laser printer, a copier, a multifunction printing device, and the like. Features of the printing system are depicted in dashed lines to indicate that the printing system may not constitute part of the device 100.

[0017] The device 100 may include a chamber 104 for containing the toner 102. The chamber 104 may be made of any suitable material, including plastic, metal, ceramic, and / or combinations thereof. In addition, the chamber 104 may be sized to hold an amount of toner suitable for refilling the toner cartridge, and thus the chamber 104 may vary for different types of toner cartridges. The chamber 104 may further include a shape that facilitates user manipulation for movement and insertion into a printing system.

[0018] As shown, the chamber 104 may include an insert portion 106 including a discharge opening 108 through which the toner 102 may flow out of the chamber 104. The device 100 may include a valve mechanism 110 located at the discharge opening 108. When the valve mechanism 110 is in a first (e.g., closed) position, the valve mechanism 110 may prevent or block the flow of the toner 102 through the discharge opening 108. Additionally, when the valve mechanism 110 is in a second (e.g., open) position, the toner 102 may flow through or past the valve mechanism 110.

[0019] The device 100 may further include an electronic chip 112, which may store data related to the device 100, for example. The data related to the device 100 may include identification information of the device 100, which may include manufacturer information, serial number, toner type, toner color, and / or other. In some examples, the data may be encrypted to reduce unauthorized access to the data.

[0020] According to an example, when the toner cartridge is to be refilled, the device 100 can be inserted into the refill port 120 of the printing device. In particular, the insertion portion 106 can be inserted into the refill port 120, such as Figure 1 In addition, the refill port 120 may include a circuit component 122 that may contact the electronic chip 112 when the insertion portion 106 is properly inserted into the refill port 120. The circuit component 122 may be an electrical contact through which an electrical signal may be transmitted from the electronic chip 112.

[0021] Furthermore, when the insertion portion 106 is properly inserted into the refill port 120, the actuator 124 may engage the valve mechanism 110. That is, for example, when the electronic chip 112 is in electrical contact with the circuit component 122 and the actuator 124 is engaged with the valve mechanism 110, the insertion portion 106 may be considered to be properly inserted into the refill port 120. In some examples, the actuator 124 may include a gear device or other mechanism that may be coupled to a motor so that when the motor is activated, the actuator 124 may move the valve mechanism 110 between a first position that prevents the flow of the toner 102 and a second position that activates the flow of the toner 102.

[0022] According to an example, the printing device may include a controller 126, which may be connected to the circuit component 122 and the actuator 124. The controller 126 may control the operation of the actuator 124 based on a determination of whether the insertion portion 106 is properly inserted into the refill port 120. The controller 126 may additionally or alternatively control the operation of the actuator 124 based on other factors (such as, for example, using the data authentication device 100 stored in the electronic chip 112). The controller 126 may be a semiconductor-based microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or other hardware device. In some examples, the controller 126 may determine to activate the actuator 124 based on a determination that the insertion portion 106 has been correctly inserted into the refill port 120.

[0023] Now go to Figure 2A-2C , respectively, a block diagram of an example system 200 is shown, and the example system 200 may include Figure 1 The depicted apparatus 100 and the printing device 210 into which the apparatus 100 may be inserted. It should be understood that Figure 2A-2C The depicted system 200 may include additional features, and some of the features described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the system 200 .

[0024] like Figure 2A As shown, the printing device 210 may include a toner cartridge 212 and a refill port 120. As discussed herein, the refill port 120 may receive an insertion portion 106 of the device 100 (toner refill device 100), wherein the device 100 may include an electronic chip 112 and a valve mechanism 110. When the insertion portion 106 is properly inserted into the refill port 120, the electronic chip 112 may contact or otherwise electrically communicate with a circuit component 122 in the refill port 120. That is, when the toner cartridge 212 is ready for toner refilling, the user may insert the insertion portion 106 of the device 100 into the refill port 120 of the printing device 210.

[0025] The controller 126 can determine that the device 100 has been correctly inserted into the refill port 120 based on the detection of the electrical connection between the circuit component 122 and the electronic chip 112. That is, in some examples, the electronic chip 112 can complete the circuit (e.g., current) of the circuit component 122 with the controller 126, and the controller 126 can detect the completion of the circuit. In other examples, the electronic chip 112 can disconnect the circuit of the circuit component 122 with the controller 126, and the controller 126 can detect the disconnection of the circuit. In any of these examples, the controller 126 can equate the completion or disconnection of the circuit with the insertion portion 106 being correctly inserted into the refill port 120.

[0026] In some examples, the controller 126 can automatically activate the actuator 124 based on a determination that the insertion portion 106 has been correctly inserted into the refill port 120. In other examples, the controller 126 can wait to perform further user actions before activating the actuator 124. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 may include a release mechanism 220 for the user to manipulate (e.g., remove, rotate, flip, etc.) the chamber 104. In these examples, when the release mechanism 220 is manipulated, the circuit between the circuit component 122 discussed above and the controller 126 can be completed or disconnected. In addition, the controller 126 can equate the completion or disconnection of the circuit to the insertion portion 106 being correctly inserted into the refill port 120, and can activate the actuator 124 to allow the toner 102 in the chamber 104 to flow through the discharge opening 108.

[0027] According to examples, a removable cover 214 can be provided in the refill port 120. In these examples, the actuator 124 (and / or other actuators) can also engage the removable cover 214 and can move the removable cover 214 as the actuator 124 moves the valve mechanism 110. The actuator 124 can move the removable cover 214 to a position that causes the toner 102 to flow through the removable cover 214 and into the toner cartridge 212.

[0028] like Figure 2B As shown, the release mechanism 220 can be manipulated, for example, removed, away from the chamber 104 in the direction indicated by arrow 222. In addition, the controller 126 can activate the actuator 124 to open the valve mechanism 110 and open the movable cover 214. Figure 2A and Figure 2BIn the example shown, the actuator 124 can rotate the valve mechanism 110 so that the open portion of the valve mechanism 110 can be aligned with the discharge opening 108. Similarly, the actuator 124 can rotate the movable cover 214 so that the open portion of the movable cover 214 is aligned with the discharge opening 108 and / or the opening of the toner cartridge 212. Once in the open position, the toner 102 contained in the chamber 104 can flow from the chamber 104 into the toner cartridge 212, as shown by arrow 216.

[0029] In other examples, the valve mechanism 110 and / or the movable cover 214 can be other types of valve mechanisms, such as a valve mechanism that can move between a first vertical position capable of blocking the flow of colorant and a second vertical position capable of enabling the flow of colorant, a valve mechanism that can slide from one position to another, and / or others.

[0030] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As further shown, the device 100 can further include an insertion mechanism 224 located within the chamber 104. In addition, the release mechanism 220 can hold the insertion mechanism 224 in a position such as Figure 2A The fixed position shown, and the insertion mechanism 224 can be released so that when the release mechanism 220 is as shown Figure 2B When the release mechanism 220 is manipulated (e.g., removed), the insertion mechanism 224 can be movable within the chamber 104. In addition, a spring 226 can be provided in the chamber 104 to bias the insertion mechanism 224 toward the discharge opening 108. In this way, when the release mechanism 220 is manipulated and the insertion mechanism 224 is released, the spring 226 can bias the insertion mechanism 224 toward the discharge opening 108, and can push the toner 102 through the discharge opening 108, thereby helping the toner 102 to flow into the toner cartridge 212.

[0031] In other examples, and as Figure 2C As shown, instead of release mechanism 220 and spring 226, device 100 may include an actuation member 230 connectable to insertion mechanism 224. In these examples, a user may press actuation member 230 to push insertion mechanism 224 toward discharge opening 108 to push toner 102 through an opening in valve mechanism 110.

[0032] After the toner 102 flows out of the device 100 and into the toner cartridge 212 , the controller 126 may again activate the actuator 124 to move the valve mechanism 110 and the movable cover 214 to the closed position.

[0033] about Figure 3 The method 300 depicted discusses various modes of operation of the controller 126 in more detail. In particular, Figure 3A flow chart depicting an example method 300 for actuating an actuator to operate a valve mechanism in a toner refill device 100. It should be understood that Figure 3 The method 300 depicted in FIG. 3 may include additional operations, and some operations described herein may be removed and / or modified without departing from the scope of the method 300. For illustration purposes, reference is made to FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2A-2C The features depicted in are used to describe method 300.

[0034] At block 302, the controller 126 may determine whether the toner refill device 100 is properly inserted into the refill port 120 in fluid communication with the toner cartridge 212. As discussed herein, when the toner refill device 100 is properly inserted into the refill port 120, the actuator 124 may contact the valve mechanism 110 of the toner refill device 100. As also discussed herein, the controller 126 may determine that the toner refill device 100 is properly inserted into the refill port 120 based on an electrical connection established or removed between the circuit component 122 in the refill port 120 and the electronic chip 112 on the device 100.

[0035] In block 304, additionally or alternatively, controller 126 may determine whether release mechanism 220 on toner refill device 100 has been manipulated based on a determination that toner refill device 100 is properly inserted into refill port 120. Controller 126 may determine whether release mechanism 220 has been manipulated based on a determination of whether an electrical connection (e.g., current) through chamber 104 has been disconnected or established, as may occur when release mechanism 220 is manipulated (e.g., removed).

[0036] At block 306 , based on the determination that the release mechanism 220 has been manipulated, the controller 126 may activate the actuator 124 to manipulate the valve mechanism 110 of the toner refill device 100 to allow the toner 102 in the toner refill device 100 to flow into the toner cartridge 212 .

[0037] According to an example, the electronic chip 112 on the chamber 104 may have stored thereon data related to the toner refilling device 100. The data related to the device 100 may include identification information of the device 100 and / or the toner 102 contained in the chamber 104 of the toner refilling device 100. In these examples, the controller 126 may access the data related to the toner refilling device 100 from the electronic chip 112 via the circuit component 122. In addition, the controller 126 may determine whether the toner refilling device 100 is authenticated based on the accessed data. That is, the controller 126 may determine whether the accessed data corresponds to and / or matches known data of the toner refilling device 100 that may be implemented to supply refilled toner to the toner cartridge 212. The controller 126 may also or alternatively compare the accessed data, such as the color, type, etc. of the toner 102 , to verify that the toner refill device 100 contains the appropriate type and / or color of toner 102 to be supplied to the toner cartridge 212 .

[0038] The controller 126 may further determine that the actuator 124 is to be activated based on the determination of the authentication of the toner refilling device 100. The controller 126 may still further activate the actuator 124 to open the valve mechanism 110 based on the determination that the actuator 124 is to be activated so that the toner 102 in the toner refilling device 100 flows into the toner cartridge 212.

[0039] Some or all of the operations described in method 300 may be included as utilities, programs, or subroutines in any desired computer-accessible medium. In addition, method 300 may be embodied by a computer program, which may exist in various active and inactive forms. For example, they may exist as machine-readable instructions, including source code, object code, executable code, or other formats. Any of the above may be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0040] Examples of non-transitory computer readable storage media include computer system RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Therefore, it should be understood that any electronic device capable of performing the above functions can perform the above listed functions.

[0041] Although described in detail throughout the present disclosure, representative examples of the present disclosure have utility in a wide range of applications, and the above discussion is not intended to and should not be construed as limiting, but rather provides an illustrative discussion of aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] What is described and illustrated herein are examples of the present disclosure and some of its variations. The terms, descriptions, and drawings used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Many variations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, the scope of which is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, in which all terms are expressed in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A toner refilling device, comprising: a chamber for containing toner, the chamber including an insertion portion for insertion into a refill port of the toner cartridge and including a discharge opening, the refill port including circuit components; a valve mechanism located at the discharge opening to control output of the toner from the chamber through the discharge opening, wherein an actuator is used to engage the valve mechanism and controllably open the valve mechanism; an electronic chip for electrically communicating with the circuit component, wherein the controller activates the actuator based on detecting contact between the electronic chip and the circuit component; as well as A release mechanism, wherein manipulation of the release mechanism completes a circuit connection between the electronic chip and the circuit component, and wherein completion of the circuit connection causes the controller to activate the actuator to open the discharge opening.

2. The toner refilling device according to claim 1, further comprising: An insertion mechanism is located inside the chamber, wherein manipulation of the release mechanism further enables the insertion mechanism to move within the chamber.

3. The toner refilling device according to claim 2, further comprising: A spring is used to urge the insertion mechanism toward the discharge opening. 4 . The toner refilling device according to claim 2 , wherein the insertion mechanism includes an actuating member pressed by a user.

5. The toner refilling device according to claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism includes an opening portion and a closing portion, and wherein the actuator is used to rotate the valve mechanism so that the opening portion is located in the discharge opening and the toner can flow through the discharge opening.

6. The toner refilling device of claim 1, wherein the valve mechanism includes a movable blocking member, and wherein the actuator is used to move the blocking member to enable the toner to flow through the discharge opening.

7. A system for printing, comprising: Toner cartridges; a refill port for receiving an inserted portion of a toner refill device, the toner refill device including an electronic chip and a valve mechanism, and the toner refill device having: a chamber for containing toner, the chamber including the insertion portion and the insertion portion having a discharge opening; The valve mechanism is located at the discharge opening; as well as a release mechanism for manipulation by a user; a circuit component for electrically communicating with the electronic chip; an actuator for engaging the valve mechanism; as well as Controller for: determining whether to activate the actuator based on a determination of whether the circuit is in electrical communication with the electronic chip; based on a determination that the actuator is to be activated, activating the actuator to open the valve mechanism to allow toner in the toner refilling device to flow into the toner cartridge; determining whether the release mechanism has been manipulated; and Based on a determination that the release mechanism has been manipulated, it is determined that the actuator is to be activated.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electronic chip has stored thereon data related to the toner refill device, and wherein the controller is further configured to: accessing said data related to said toner refilling device; determining whether the toner refill device is authenticated based on the accessed data; and Based on a determination that the toner refilling device is authenticated, it is determined that the actuator is to be activated.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the toner refilling device further comprises: an insertion mechanism held within the chamber by the release mechanism, wherein manipulation of the release mechanism is used to render the insertion mechanism movable within the chamber; and A spring is used to urge the insertion mechanism toward the discharge opening.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a removable cover in the refill port, wherein the actuator is further configured to engage the removable cover and move the removable cover when activated.

11. A method for toner refilling, comprising: determining, by a controller, whether a toner refill device is properly inserted into a refill port in fluid communication with a toner cartridge, an actuator contacting a valve mechanism of the toner refill device when the toner refill device is properly inserted into the refill port; determining, by the controller, whether a release mechanism on the toner refill device has been manipulated based on a determination that the toner refill device is properly inserted into the refill port; as well as Based on the determination that the release mechanism has been manipulated, the actuator is activated by the controller to manipulate the valve mechanism of the toner refilling device to allow the toner in the toner refilling device to flow into the toner cartridge.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller determines whether the release mechanism has been manipulated based on a condition of an electric current passing through a portion of the toner refill device.

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