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 managing a plurality of imaging supply items for an organization, such as those that include associating the organization with a program, the program pertaining to the use of a plurality of imaging apparatuses in conjunction with a plurality of imaging supply items; associating an imaging apparatus with the program to yield a program specific imaging apparatus; and associating an imaging supply item with the program to yield a program specific imaging 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: Apparatuses and methods for identifying consumables intended for use in an imaging apparatus, such as consumables having a memory storing at least first data and second data. One such method involves incrementing the first data during printing operations using the imaging apparatus; the imaging apparatus determining when the first data corresponds to a first predetermined value; and setting the second data to a second predetermined value based on a correspondence of the first data to the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A claimant device includes a memory device for storing a unique claimant device identifier and a plurality of unique digital signatures. Each digital signature is based, at least in part, upon the unique claimant device identifier.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable used in an imaging device includes the steps of providing the consumable with a memory; monitoring usage of the consumable; determining whether the consumable has reached a usage threshold; and, if the consumable has reached the usage threshold, then performing the further steps of: renewing the consumable; generating an authentication code signifying the renewing of the consumable; and storing the authentication code in the memory.

Abstract: Methods for authenticating a property of an article in electrical communication with a verifier system including, for example, reading an identification code from the article, generating a challenge phrase from a verifier system, writing a challenge phrase to a first memory location on the article, reading a response phrase from the second memory location on the article, wherein the second memory location is configured to respond with a combinational logic gate output of the second memory location and the first memory location, generating a message authentication code by encrypting the identification code using a predetermined algorithm, generating a comparison code, wherein the comparison code is a combination logic gate output of the message authentication code and the challenge phrase, and determining if the comparison code is equivalent to the response phrase. Articles configured for use with the same.

Abstract: A method for reducing a cost of imaging to a customer includes determining a rate of consumption of imaging substance from a supply item; and, based on the rate of consumption, offering to the customer an imaging reward.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether a cartridge installed in an imaging apparatus is potentially counterfeit includes determining whether a usage threshold has been reached by the cartridge; determining whether the cartridge was previously installed in the imaging apparatus; and determining that the cartridge is potentially counterfeit if the usage threshold has been reached and the cartridge was not previously installed in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method to provide a user with an offer relating to a used consumable includes associating the used consumable with the user, and, if desired, providing an offer to the user relating to the used consumable.

Abstract: A method for providing technical support to a customer relating to an imaging cartridge used in an imaging apparatus includes receiving a request from the customer for assistance relating to the imaging cartridge; executing diagnostic software associated with a type of the imaging apparatus based on the request to generate a diagnostic code pertaining to the imaging cartridge; receiving the diagnostic code from the customer; performing an analysis of the diagnostic code; and determining an action to be taken based on the analysis of the diagnostic code.

Abstract: A method for imaging with an imaging apparatus includes the steps of designating a supply item for use in the imaging apparatus as one of a first cartridge type and a second cartridge type; establishing for the imaging apparatus a first operational state and a second operational state, the first operational state corresponding to a first period of imaging apparatus use when the imaging apparatus is new, and the second operational state corresponding to a second period of imaging apparatus use following the first period of imaging apparatus use; and determining whether the imaging apparatus is operating in the first operational state, the imaging apparatus accepting the first cartridge type for imaging only if the imaging apparatus is operating in the first operational state.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable used in an imaging device includes the steps of providing the consumable with a memory; monitoring usage of the consumable; determining whether the consumable has reached a usage threshold; and, if the consumable has reached the usage threshold, then performing the further steps of: renewing the consumable; generating an authentication code signifying the renewing of the consumable; and storing the authentication code in the memory.

Abstract: A method for determining the distance moved by a component (such as a printer paper-feed roller) operatively coupled to an analog encoder having analog first and second output signals. At least one of a first inverse signal which is the inverse of the first output signal and a second inverse signal which is the inverse of the second output signal is calculated. The distance moved by the component from a previous position is calculated using one of an ascending or descending region of the first or second output signal, wherein the previous position is the position of the component corresponding to a crossover level of two signals chosen from the group consisting of the first output signal, the second output signal, and the at-least-one inverse signal.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual replenishing of a supply item with an imaging substance includes the steps communicating to a database a first serial number associated with a first supply item; comparing the first serial number with a plurality of serial numbers stored in the database; receiving from the database one of a first data indicating non-correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers and a second data indicating correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers, wherein the second data includes a verification key; and if the verification key corresponds to the first key stored in the memory associated with the first supply item, then performing the step of allocating at least a portion of a surplus amount of the imaging substance contained in the first supply item for use.