Abstract: A new system and method for communicating between a host device and one or more slave devices are presented. The system provides data error checking and correcting, data encryption, and robust slave address sequencing using a portion of a session key. The data encryption uses a second portion of the session key, which changes for each power cycle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for performing failure analysis on an imaging device that includes retrieving an encrypted error log containing one or more error conditions that occurred on the imaging device, decrypting the retrieved encrypted error log, determining if the retrieved encrypted error log has been altered based on the decrypted error log, and upon determining that the retrieved encrypted error log has not been altered, performing failure analysis on the imaging device using the decrypted error log.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method presents search results in various forms upon a physical display. The spacing and movement of presented search results may be subjected to system defined gravitational forces wherein presented search results are shown as spheres or other icons of various sizes positioned at various distances from the center of the display. Displayed search results with greater ranking are displayed as relatively larger spheres or icons nearer the center of a display as compared to lower ranking results, which are smaller and displayed further afield. Ranking is shown as a matter of degree, rather than just as an ordinal list as in the related art. Attributes, such as link age, quantity, and other characteristics, of represented websites and various interconnections among represented websites are depicted by user controlled toggles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for performing failure analysis on an imaging device that includes retrieving an encrypted error log containing one or more error conditions that occurred on the imaging device, decrypting the retrieved encrypted error log, determining if the retrieved encrypted error log has been altered based on the decrypted error log, and upon determining that the retrieved encrypted error log has not been altered, performing failure analysis on the imaging device using the decrypted error log.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tamper-evident method of encrypting data relating to one or more print cartridges installed in an imaging device that includes triggering a gathering of data relating to the one or more print cartridges installed in the imaging device; recording a number of instances the triggering is performed; retrieving a previously encrypted data relating to the one or more print cartridges installed in the imaging device, the previously encrypted data gathered at a time prior to the triggering; and encrypting the gathered data using the previously encrypted data.

Abstract: An address polling method and system for communicating unique slave address values to a master device over a shared bus. The method includes receiving a request signal from the master device requesting that a slave address from each slave device coupled to the data line be sent to the master; causing, in a serial manner, the data line to be placed in logic states corresponding to bit values in a first slave address; and upon the data line being placed in a logic state that is different from a corresponding bit value of the first slave address, determining that another slave device is placing its slave address on the data line and temporarily entering an idle state until such other slave device has finished communicating its slave address to the master device.

Abstract: A new system and method for communicating between a host device and one or more slave devices are presented. The system provides data error checking and correcting, data encryption, and robust slave address sequencing using a portion of a session key. The data encryption uses a second portion of the session key, which changes for each power cycle.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method presents search results in various forms upon a physical display. The spacing and movement of presented search results may be subjected to system defined gravitational forces wherein presented search results are shown as spheres or other icons of various sizes positioned at various distances from the center of the display. Displayed search results with greater ranking are displayed as relatively larger spheres or icons nearer the center of a display as compared to lower ranking results, which are smaller and displayed further afield. Ranking is shown as a matter of degree, rather than just as an ordinal list as in the related art. Attributes, such as link age, quantity, and other characteristics, of represented websites and various interconnections among represented websites are depicted by user controlled toggles.

Abstract: A master/slave data communication system in which a master device communicates with the slave devices by uniquely addressing each of the slave devices. In order to enhance the security of the data communication system, each slave device includes an address generator for generating unique addresses. Periodically, the master device requests that one or more slave device change its address. In response to the request, the addressed slave device increments its address generating algorithm to provide a new slave address. The master device also includes an algorithm that is synchronized with the slave address generating algorithm, whereby when the slave changes its address, it need not transmit the new slave address to the master device over the bus.

Abstract: A master/slave data communication system in which a master device communicates with the slave devices by uniquely addressing each of the slave devices. In order to enhance the security of the data communication system, each slave device includes an address generator for generating unique addresses. Periodically, the master device requests that one or more slave device change its address. In response to the request, the addressed slave device increments its address generating algorithm to provide a new slave address. The master device also includes an algorithm that is synchronized with the slave address generating algorithm, whereby when the slave changes its address, it need not transmit the new slave address to the master device over the bus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring an electronics device. The method includes receiving, by the electronics device, a request for a command to perform a predetermined operation by the electronics device and sending the command in response to receiving the request. The electronics device then receives a signature based upon the command, whereupon the electronics device verifies the signature by the electronics device and, following an affirmative verification, executes the command for performing the predetermined operation. In this way, the electronics device may be reconfigured remotely without knowledge of the particular command for performing the predetermined operation by the electronics device.

Abstract: A master/slave data communication system in which a master device communicates with the slave devices by uniquely addressing each of the slave devices. In order to enhance the security of the data communication system, each slave device includes an address generator for generating unique addresses. Periodically, the master device requests that one or more slave device change its address. In response to the request, the addressed slave device increments its address generating algorithm to provide a new slave address. The master device also includes an algorithm that is synchronized with the slave address generating algorithm, whereby when the slave changes its address, it need not transmit the new slave address to the master device over the bus.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a printhead/cartridge in a thermal inkjet printer. An inkjet printhead undergoes a jetting operation in which a jetting frequency is selected and a corresponding steady state printhead temperature is known. The printhead is heated to the steady state temperature. Then the printhead is jetted with all nozzles for a predetermined period of time. Temperature samples from the printhead are obtained and the change in the printhead temperature for a short period of time is used to determine a slope in the temperature change. From the slope of printhead temperature changes, the ink flow rate through the printhead can be determined. The flow rate of ink through the printhead can be used to determine the various states of the printhead, including out of ink, clogged, deprimed, a taped printhead, etc.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: A method of generating an authentication code for a consumable in an imaging device, includes the steps of: an identification number assigned to the consumable; processing an indemnification number assigned to the consumable using a first algorithm to generate a preliminary number different from the identification number; and compressing the preliminary number using a compression algorithm that utilizes the identification number to generate the authentication code.

Abstract: A licensing method includes the steps of establishing a licensing vendor; providing an imaging device that uses an imaging media in forming printed images on print media, the imaging media including an initial supply amount of an imaging substance; associating a usage license with at least one of the imaging device and the imaging media, the usage license defining a first usage threshold at which a consumer is prompted to acquire a new license; and providing a license monitoring mechanism communicatively coupled with the imaging device, the license monitoring mechanism performing the steps of tracking an amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device; determining whether the amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device has reached a usage threshold; and upon reaching the usage threshold, then prompting the consumer to acquire the new license from the licensing vendor.

Abstract: A master/slave data communication system in which a master device communicates with the slave devices by uniquely addressing each of the slave devices. In order to enhance the security of the data communication system, each slave device includes an address generator for generating unique addresses. Periodically, the master device requests that one or more slave device change its address. In response to the request, the addressed slave device increments its address generating algorithm to provide a new slave address. The master device also includes an algorithm that is synchronized with the slave address generating algorithm, whereby when the slave changes its address, it need not transmit the new slave address to the master device over the bus.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a printhead/cartridge in a thermal inkjet printer. An inkjet printhead undergoes a jetting operation in which a jetting frequency is selected and a corresponding steady state printhead temperature is known. The printhead is heated to the steady state temperature. Then the printhead is jetted with all nozzles for a predetermined period of time. Temperature samples from the printhead are obtained and the change in the printhead temperature for a short period of time is used to determine a slope in the temperature change. From the slope of printhead temperature changes, the ink flow rate through the printhead can be determined. The flow rate of ink through the printhead can be used to determine the various states of the printhead, including out of ink, clogged, deprimed, a taped printhead, etc.

Abstract: A method for securely identifying whether an end user owns a particular device from a manufacturer and is a valid participant in a promotion with a partner of the manufacturer. The method allows an end user to verify ownership of a particular device via a computer network and securely obtain promotion related information which enables the end user to participate in a given sales promotion with a retail partner of the manufacturer of the device.