Xerox Corporation

Alberto Rodriguez

Heiko Rommelmann

Scott Jonathan Bell

William H Phipps

Jerry Money

Will Phipps

Ronald P Boucher

Christopher P Caporale

Markus Rudolf Silvestri

David Rocco Arden Campbell

Terry L Street

Neil A Frankel

John M Scharr

Edwin Kuyt

John Stephen Facci

Ron Edward Dufort

Kenneth W Pietrowski

Scott David Weber

Ron Boucher

Christopher R Snelling

Steven C Hart

Dennis J Prosser

Murray O Meetze, Jr

Kamran U Zaman

Jimmy E Kelly

Robert Allen Koontz

Louis Ba La

Joseph D LaRussa

Steven T Reczek

Perry Pesce

Chris Snelling

Joseph David La Russa

Theon Sanders

Jing Quing Song

A component subsystem and a method for authenticating the component subsystem. The component subsystem may be installed in a host device. The method can include an authentication protocol, wherein the host device sends a test voltage value to the component subsystem which, in turn, generates a test voltage based on the test voltage value. The test voltage is applied to a test cell that includes a wordline, a bitline, and a memory film. A response voltage is read from the bitline and compared to an expected value. If the response voltage matches the expected value, host device and/or component subsystem functionality is enabled. If the response voltage does not match the expected value, the host device and/or component subsystem functionality is disabled.

Security enhancement of customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM)

A method for ensuring that a memory array such as a ferroelectric memory array is properly electrically connected. The method may be performed, for example, prior to a read or write cycle, during functional testing of the memory array, etc. In one implementation, the memory array is read and the data set including a data bit from each cell is stored in a register. A solid logic 0's pattern is written into the memory array, and each cell is read. If no cell returns a logic 1, it is determined that the memory array is properly connected and the register data values are written to the memory array. If one or more cells returns a logic 1, it is determined that the memory array is improperly connected, the register data values are written to the memory array, and the memory array is removed and reinstalled.

Pad detection through pattern analysis

A computer-implemented method for writing to a printed memory device is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes determining, by a microcontroller, a first encoding scheme from among a plurality of encoding schemes to write a first data portion from among a plurality of data portions, wherein the first encoding scheme comprises a first voltage and a first pulse width to be used to write the first data portion; providing, by the microcontroller, the first encoding scheme to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); selecting, by the ASIC, a first target memory cell of the printed memory device corresponding to a first word line and a first bit line for the first data portion to be written; and writing, by the ASIC, the first data portion to the first target memory cell using the first encoding scheme.

Method and system for writing to and reading from a memory device

A computer-implemented method for testing a printed memory device is provided. The computer-implemented method includes performing, by a controller, a first read operation on a cell of the printed memory device; performing, by the controller, a second read operation on the cell; converting, by the controller, a first result of the first read operation and a second results of the second read operation to a first digital value and a second digital value, respectively; comparing, by the controller, the first digital value and the second digital value to a first predetermined threshold and a second predetermined threshold, respectively, wherein the first predetermined threshold is a low threshold and the second predetermined threshold is a high threshold; and providing, by the controller, a result of the test for the printed memory device based on the comparing.

Method for testing a memory device

A computer-implemented method for writing to and reading from a printed memory device is provided. Data to be written to the printed memory device is segmented into a plurality of data portions. Each data portion of the plurality of data portions is written to a memory cell of the printed memory as a tuple using a determined encoding scheme that is characterized by a voltage and a pulse width. The voltage that is used for the encoding scheme is within a predetermined polarization regime of the printed memory device. Tuples of data can be read from memory cells of the printed memory using a decoding scheme.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) technique is disclosed. The technique includes a printed RFID antenna array including at least three printed RFID antenna elements and an RFID reader device with at least one RFID reader antenna sized to transmit excitation energy to a number N&#x3e;1 of printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array, where N is less than a total number of printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array. The RFID reader antenna is configured to receive a plurality of compound signals from respective subarrays consisting of N of the printed RFID antenna elements of the printed RFID antenna array. The RFID reader device also includes a demodulator, a decoder, and an output interface.

Printed RFID tag antenna array with interfering subarrays

A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna element and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.

RFID bridge antenna

A system and method are provided for updating a non-volatile memory (NVM) in an image forming device by employing the programmability of an electronically readable/writable memory module such as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) associated with a customer replaceable unit (CRU) as a vehicle for completing the needed updates in NVM values at the time of replacement of the CRU. Replacement of the CRU, where such replacement is verified by return of an expended CRU to the manufacturer, provides confirmation of updates to the NVM values. The CRUM provides a secure means to change image output terminal (IOT) set points and CRU related values stored in NVM locations that otherwise would require a manufacturers' customer service personnel visit to update. By providing an NVM location (chain/link), the value to be used and a one-time use authentication string, an automated update to the NVM is performed in a secure manner.

Systems and methods for employing an electronically-readable monitoring module associated with a customer replaceable component to update a non-volatile memory in an image forming device

A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device is attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container is a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Supply units having an associated electronically-readable memory device

A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

An intelligent on-board monitoring system for replaceable module for a printing apparatus includes a memory element, an input for receiving information either from sensors on the replaceable module, or from the printing apparatus concerning printing operations performed, and a microprocessor connected to the memory for performing calculations upon data stored in the memory and upon the input information. By expanding this intelligent on-board monitoring system with expanded memory, either on board the replaceable module, or by way of network access, the capability to enable software upgrades is provided. The software upgrades may relate to the performance of the replaceable module or to the machine into which it is installed. These software upgrades may be accomplished without requiring computational resources of the printing apparatus itself and by proper scheduling without impacting customer machine utilization.

Software upgrades from a printer module with on-board intelligence

A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna elements and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.

A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Growing community of inventors

Webster, NY, United States of America

Alberto Rodriguez