Refilled Toner Cartridge Yield via Replacement Chip Memory

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing print cartridges do not accurately reflect increased capacity after refilling, leading to premature prevention of printing and incorrect status page information, as the initial memory values are not updated to match the enhanced capacity.

Innovation Solution

Refill the toner cartridge with a new amount of toner that exceeds the original capacity, using a replacement cartridge chip with updated memory to indicate the new toner amount, ensuring the cartridge can print until almost empty while maintaining accurate status page information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the toner cartridge is refilled with more toner than the original capacity, then the print life is extended, but the memory information does not reflect the increased capacity causing premature printing prevention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint lifeVSAvoidmemory information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter stored in the memory from the original toner capacity value to a new value that reflects the increased toner capacity after refilling. This parameter change allows the printer to accurately recognize the extended print life and prevents premature printing prevention, resolving the contradiction between extended print life and accurate memory information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the initial memory value is not updated after refilling, then the cartridge structure remains simple, but the status page displays incorrect information and printing is prevented prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge structureVSAvoidstatus page information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by updating the memory information with the new toner capacity value before the cartridge is returned to service. This preliminary update ensures that when the printer reads the memory, it receives accurate information about the increased capacity, displaying correct status page information and preventing premature printing prevention without requiring complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2867732B1Refilled toner cartridge having increased yield
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 APEX SEMICONDUCTORS USA CO LTD
  • EP2867732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2867732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2867732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield.