| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080303640 | HYBRID SYSTEM OPTION KEY - Embodiments herein place a product and a programmable device within a shipping package, seal the shipping package, and program the programmable device by transmitting wireless signals to the programmable device, without opening the shipping package. Then, after the device is programmed, the shipping package can be shipped to the end user (consumer). The programmable device is adapted to be connected to the product after the product and the programmable device are removed from the shipping package by the end user to enable different features of the product, depending upon the wireless signals that were transmitted to the programmable device. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080320335 | Test Automation Via RFID Technology - A method and system receives test requirements and test settings in order to design a test. An identifier is assigned to the test that was designed and the test is stored in a database using the identifier to identify the test. In addition, the test is printed on at least one sheet or form and a wireless read/write device is programmed with the identifier assigned to the test. The wireless read/write device is attached to the sheet on which the test was printed. Thus, the sheet and the wireless read/write device can be provided to a test operator to allow the test operator to wirelessly read the identifier from the wireless read/write device. Then, the test operator can access the test from the database based on the identifier read from the wireless read/write device. The test instructions (comprising the test requirements and test settings) are provided from the database to the operator to perform the test and potentially produce a physical test output. The test instructions are provided to the operator through a graphic user interface. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20100020147 | INK STICK WITH ELECTRONICALLY-READABLE MEMORY DEVICE - A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises 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. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100020149 | INK STICK WITH ELECTRONICALLY-READABLE MEMORY DEVICE - A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises 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. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100039485 | INK STICK WITH ELECTRONICALLY-READABLE MEMORY DEVICE - A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, comprises 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. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100079253 | RFID Bridge Antenna - An RFID bridge antenna is positioned between a tag antenna associated with a tag and a reader antenna associated with a reader. The bridge includes at least two RF antenna elements spaced apart from one another and coupled together by an electrical conductor. The first RF antenna element is located proximate to the tag antenna and the second RF antenna element is located proximate to the reader antenna. 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. The object may be a module, also known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU), and the tag may be configured as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM). | 04-01-2010 |
| 20110205058 | RFID BRIDGE ANTENNA - 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. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110214399 | 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. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110216138 | 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. | 09-08-2011 |
