Abstract: A portable programming device for electronically programming an electronic tag associated with a module includes a hand-held data receiver containing a communication element adapted to receive data from an electronic tag associated with a module and a data processor having programmed processing instructions. The data processor analyzes data received at the communication element in accordance with programmed processing instructions to produce a processor result based on the received data. The portable programming device also includes a hand-held tag writer comprising a communication element for writing tag content information to a tag memory segment of the electronic tag in response to the processor result.

Abstract: A hardware interface usable to communicate with electrically erasable read-only memory devices and, optionally, other external controls or devices, includes self-monitoring power supply circuitry, an EEPROM driver and noise and signal degradation prevention circuitry, and optional input/output circuitry which provides for programmatically cycling power to the memory device. The self-monitoring power supply circuitry is capable of determining whether a power supply has reached the hardware interface. The EEPROM driver and noise and signal degradation prevention circuitry reduces signal noise and/or signal degradation and driver circuitry for programming, monitoring, and downloading information to and from the EEPROM devices. The digital input/output circuitry is capable of controlling the power supply to the hardware interface, downloading or monitoring information to the hardware interface, or controlling/responding to external devices or controls.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, verification of the correctness of a particular replaceable module takes place before an operating element of the printing apparatus fully engages the replaceable module. A printing apparatus coupler establishes a communication link with a tag on the replaceable module as the replaceable module is being inserted into the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus coupler receives module identifying information from the tag. The coupler determines from the identifying information whether the replaceable module is appropriate for that location in that printing apparatus, and performs either an acceptance action to accept the replaceable module, or a rejection action to reject the module.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) in an arrangement of a master key system operation key (SOK) plus any subsequently installed SOK to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At the initial install of either SOK type the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. If the SOK type is a subsequently installed SOK, the option code(s) from the subsequently installed SOK are written to the master key SOK. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match.

Abstract: Security for a system and process for programming electronic devices, such as electronic monitors for replaceable modules for a printing apparatus is provided by combinations of the elements controlling the installation of device programming software onto the programming system by verifying installation permissions and installing the programming software only if the installation permissions are verified. In addition, refilling the programming system with new or additional programming permissions is controlled by verifying refill permissions by reading installation card information from an installation security card and electronically verifying that the installation card information contains a predetermined installation security code.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) with a wireless interface as a system operation key (SOK) to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At initial SOK install the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check via the wireless interface to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match. A new swapped in SOK can be installed so long as the NVM serial number location has not been previously written to with a conflicting identification number. The machine will then write the serial number to the new SOK thereby protecting it.

Abstract: 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. The calculations produce results related to the performance of the replaceable module. These results can either be communicated to the printing apparatus, or used to control an adjustable operating parameter of the replaceable module itself, all without requiring computational resources of the printing apparatus itself.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) as a system operation key (SOK) to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At initial SOK install the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match. A new swapped in SOK can be installed so long as the NVM serial number location has not been previously written to with a conflicting identification number. The machine will then write the serial number to the new SOK thereby protecting it.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, verification of the correctness of a particular replaceable module takes place before an operating element of the printing apparatus fully engages the replaceable module. A printing apparatus coupler establishes a communication link with a tag on the replaceable module as the replaceable module is being inserted into the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus coupler receives module identifying information from the tag. The coupler determines from the identifying information whether the replaceable module is appropriate for that location in that printing apparatus, and performs either an acceptance action to accept the replaceable module, or a rejection action to reject the module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to utilizing memory provided in a machine replaceable sub-assembly to be one medium of distribution for coefficient values to that machine relating as to how that machine should use that replaceable sub-assembly. In one embodiment, there is provided a replaceable sub-assembly for use in a machine at various coefficient values comprising a memory with a look up table and further comprising upgraded executable instruction suitable for directing the machine to use the replaceable sub-assembly with different coefficient values, where the upgraded executable instruction is stored in the look up table memory. In this way, the replaceable sub-assembly becomes the medium for it's own or another's updated coefficient values.

Abstract: A hardware interface usable to communicate with electrically erasable read-only memory devices and, optionally, other external controls or devices, includes self-monitoring power supply circuitry, an EEPROM driver and noise and signal degradation prevention circuitry, and optional input/output circuitry which provides for programmatically cycling power to the memory device. The self-monitoring power supply circuitry is capable of determining whether a power supply has reached the hardware interface. The EEPROM driver and noise and signal degradation prevention circuitry reduces signal noise and/or signal degradation and driver circuitry for programming, monitoring, and downloading information to and from the EEPROM devices. The digital input/output circuitry is capable of controlling the power supply to the hardware interface, downloading or monitoring information to the hardware interface, or controlling/responding to external devices or controls.

Abstract: A bias transfer member or bias charging member for a xerographic device includes a support substrate, and a multi-layer conductive surface coating over the support substrate. The multi-layer coating includes a base layer of metal-containing particles in a polymer binder, an intermediate layer of conductive particles in a polymer binder, and a top layer of conductive particles in a polymer binder, wherein the amount of the conductive particles in the top layer is greater than the amount of the conductive particles in the intermediate layer. The multi-layer coating exhibits ideal electrical and abrasion resistance performance for use in bias charging or transfer members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a charging unit to an appropriate temperature in a uniform manner is provided. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, a heater for use in a charger includes a base. First and second contacts are disposed on the base. A heating element couples the first contact and the second contact. The heating element has an energy density that increases approximately exponentially from a first energy density at locations distal from the first and second heat sink locations to a relatively higher second energy density at locations proximal to the first and second heat sink locations. The heater, according to further embodiments of the present invention, is disposed on an opposite side of the substrate layer from the AC electrode layer, and underneath the charger.

Abstract: A donor member, useful in ionographic or electrophotographic apparatuses and preferably useful in hybrid scavengeless development units, has a substrate and an oxidized transport coating thereover. The oxidized transport coating includes a polymer binder, charge transporting molecules and one or more oxidizing agents. The polymer binder of the donor roll coating preferably includes one of (1) a crosslinked polymer with charge transporting molecules dispersed therein, or (2) a crosslinked polyamide binder with hydroxy charge transport molecules dispersed therein. The donor roll is preferably included in a printing machine that develops latent images formed on a photoconductive member.

Abstract: A rotatable charging apparatus includes a length extending between a first end and a second end, with the rotatable charging apparatus centered about an axis parallel to the length. The rotatable charging apparatus outer periphery forms N apparatus positions. One charging device is fixed to each of N−1 apparatus positions. The remaining (Nth) apparatus position is devoid of a charging device, thus forming an “empty” charging device position. A host printing machine selectively causes the rotatable charging apparatus to rotate about its axis thereby selectively position any of its N−1 charging devices to face a proximately-located photosensitive element. When a problem exists with the current charging device, or when the total number of operating hours of the current charging device exceeds a fixed threshold, the printing machine causes the rotatable charging apparatus to rotate from its current charging device to position a new charging device facing the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A donor member useful in ionographic or electrophotographic apparatuses and preferably useful in hybrid scavengeless development units, having a substrate and an oxidized transport coating including charge transport molecules, polymer binder, and an oxidized oligo arylamine salt comprising a cation of an oligo arylamine molecule and a counter anion.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material including toner; a donor member, spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting toner on the surface thereof to a region opposed from the imaging surface, said donor member includes an electrode array on the outer surface thereof, said array including a plurality of spaced apart electrodes extending substantial across width of the surface of the donor member; a multi-phase voltage source operatively coupled to said electrode array, the phase being shifted with respect to each other such as to create an electrodynamic wave pattern for moving toner particles to and from a development zone; and a charging device for charging toner on the surface of said donor member.

Abstract: An electroded donor roll for mounting partially within a mixing chamber of a development unit for forming a development zone with an image bearing member and moving charged toner particles from the mixing chamber to the development zone. The donor roll includes a conductive shaft core and a dielectric material layer that is injection molded over the shaft core. The donor roll also includes axially extending electrodes formed in the surface of the dielectric layer, and robust commutator contact pads that are formed from a conductive commutator washer device which has been overmolded into the dielectric layer. The commutator pads each are in line with, and contact an axially extending electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting marking particles is provided. The apparatus includes a donor roll and an electrode member. The electrode member includes a plurality of electrical conductors mounted on the surface of donor roll with adjacent electrical conductors being spaced from one another. The electrode member further includes a connecting member fixedly secured to the donor roll. The connecting member electrically interconnects at least two electrical conductors.