Patent Grant
9740161
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices and more particularly to systems for customizing settings of an electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Customization of electronic devices, such as image forming devices, is common. For example, an image forming device from a printer manufacturer can have different configurations when provided to different customer entities. That is, the same image forming device can be configured differently to work for a first customer entity than for a second customer entity, and may include different versions of software, features, and/or functionalities. Several factors contribute to the desire for customization such as, for example, customer needs, software programs, geography specific customization, environmental operating conditions, etc.
One of the problems met when customizing an electronic device is how to efficiently configure or adjust configurations of the device prior to shipping the device. In most cases, customization includes adjusting the configuration of existing features or functionalities and/or enabling new features, which typically requires a new configuration file to be manually loaded into firmware. In other instances, the device can have different versions of its firmware such that differences in commands may be required to configure certain functionalities. This practice can be cumbersome and time consuming as it involves hand-coding configurations on the device. Accordingly, there is a need for a more efficient and less cumbersome way of customization.
A system for customizing settings of an electronic device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable component having an optical member for receiving optical energy. The optical member has an optical characteristic for modifying an amount of the optical energy that leaves the optical member relative to an amount of the optical energy received by the optical member. A support is located on an outer casing of the electronic device and the replaceable component is mountable on the support. The system further includes an optical sensor including a detector positioned to receive the amount of the optical energy leaving the optical member when the replaceable component is mounted on the support. An optical source, which can be incorporated as part of the optical sensor or implemented as an external light source, is used to emit optical energy towards the optical member. A controller coupled to the optical sensor is operative to determine one or more predetermined settings to be applied to the electronic device based at least upon the amount of the optical energy received by the detector.
A system for configuring one or more settings of an imaging device according to another example embodiment includes a portion of an outer casing of the imaging device mountable on a support of the imaging device. An optical member on the portion of the outer casing has an optical characteristic that is indicative of configuration settings to be used by the imaging device among a plurality of possible configurations settings for the imaging device. An optical sensor is positioned to detect the optical characteristic of the optical member when the portion of the outer casing of the imaging device is mounted on the support. A controller communicatively coupled to the optical sensor is operative to adjust one or more configuration settings of the imaging device based upon the detected optical characteristic of the optical member.
An image forming device according to another example embodiment includes a replaceable component having a transmissive region. An optical sensor is positioned to detect a transmissivity of the transmissive region when the replaceable component is installed on the image forming device. Memory is stored with a plurality of transmissivity values associated with a plurality of possible configuration settings for the image forming device. A controller communicatively couples to the optical sensor and the memory, and is operative to compare the detected transmissivity to the stored plurality of transmissivity values to determine configuration settings corresponding to the detected transmissivity, and to configure the image forming device based upon the determined configuration settings.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
In the example embodiment shown in
Controller 102 includes a processor unit and associated memory 103 and may be formed as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Memory 103 may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Alternatively, memory 103 may be in the form of a separate electronic memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard drive, a CD or DVD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with controller 102. Controller 102 may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller.
In the example embodiment illustrated, controller 102 communicates with print engine 110 via a communications link 160. Controller 102 communicates with imaging unit(s) 300 and processing circuitry 301 on each imaging unit 300 via communications link(s) 161. Controller 102 communicates with toner cartridge(s) 200 and processing circuitry 201 on each toner cartridge 200 via communications link(s) 162. Controller 102 communicates with fuser 120 and processing circuitry 121 thereon via a communications link 163. Controller 102 communicates with media feed system 130 via a communications link 164. Controller 102 communicates with scanner system 150 via a communications link 165. User interface 104 is communicatively coupled to controller 102 via a communications link 166. Processing circuitry 121, 201, 301 may include a processor and associated memory such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM and may provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and usage information related to fuser 120, toner cartridge(s) 200 and imaging units 300, respectively. Controller 102 processes print and scan data and operates print engine 110 during printing and scanner system 150 during scanning.
Computer 30, which is optional, may be, for example, a personal computer, including memory 32, such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM, an input device 34, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display monitor 36. Computer 30 also includes a processor, input/output (I/O) interfaces, and may include at least one mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, a CD-ROM and/or a DVD unit (not shown). Computer 30 may also be a device capable of communicating with image forming device 100 other than a personal computer such as, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device.
In the example embodiment illustrated, computer 30 includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver 38, e.g., printer/scanner driver software, for image forming device 100. Imaging driver 38 is in communication with controller 102 of image forming device 100 via communications link 40. Imaging driver 38 facilitates communication between image forming device 100 and computer 30. One aspect of imaging driver 38 may be, for example, to provide formatted print data to image forming device 100, and more particularly to print engine 110, to print an image. Another aspect of imaging driver 38 may be, for example, to facilitate the collection of scanned data from scanner system 150.
In some circumstances, it may be desirable to operate image forming device 100 in a standalone mode. In the standalone mode, image forming device 100 is capable of functioning without computer 30. Accordingly, all or a portion of imaging driver 38, or a similar driver, may be located in controller 102 of image forming device 100 so as to accommodate printing and/or scanning functionality when operating in the standalone mode.
User interface 104 is shown positioned on housing 170 for receiving user input concerning operations performed or to be performed by image forming device 100, and for providing to the user information concerning the same. User interface 104 may include a display panel 105, which may be a touch screen display in which user input may be provided by the user touching or otherwise making contact with graphic user icons in the display panel 105. Display panel 105 may be sized for providing graphic images that allow for convenient communication of information between image forming device 100 and the user. In addition or in the alternative, a plurality of input keys 106 may be provided to receive user input. Using user interface 104, a user is able to enter commands and generally control the operation of the image forming device 100. For example, the user may enter commands to switch modes (e.g., color mode, monochrome mode), view the number of pages printed, etc.
Image forming device 100 is provided with a nameplate 180. In this example, nameplate 180 comprises a portion of the outer casing or housing 170 of image forming device 100, and can be an ID badge bearing information identifying image forming device 100 and/or indicating available functionalities thereof. When customizing image forming device 100, an operator can replace or change nameplate 180 in order to properly identify image forming device 100 and/or its functionalities.
In accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, nameplate 180 may include one or more optically readable features that are used to indicate configuration settings to be used for customizing image forming device 100. Configuration settings, in general, dictate settings to be applied, configured, adjusted, updated, added, or enabled on image forming device 100. An optically readable feature, in general, exhibits optical characteristics or properties that are directly or indirectly correlated with parameters used for configuring image forming device 100. Example optical properties may include, but are not limited to, transmissivity and reflectivity which allow the optically readable feature to transmit and/or reflect optical energy directed to it. Optical energy transmitted or reflected by the optically readable feature can be detected and used by image forming device 100 to determine configuration settings to apply thereon, as will be explained in greater detail below. In general, the optically readable feature is readable by an optical sensor of image forming device when nameplate 180 is mounted on housing 170.
In the example embodiment illustrated in
Transmissive member 186 generally includes a transmissive region having a characteristic transmissivity for changing an amount of optical energy received by a receiver of optical sensor 190 relative to an amount of optical energy emitted by a transmitter thereof. In one example, the transmissive region may be constructed of a material having a substantially transmissive base material, such as polycarbonate, and additives that modify opacity and transmissivity thereof. In another example, transmissivity may be modified by varying the thickness of the transmissive member 186. In still another example, the transmissive member 186 may have a textured surface that can cause scattering and/or reflection of incident optical energy emitted by the optical sensor transmitter and, thus, less energy reaching the receiver. As will be appreciated, transmissivity of the transmissive region may be modified to block optical energy using different combinations of scattering, diffusion, reflection, absorption, diffraction or other mechanisms as are known in the field of optics and electromagnetics.
In one example embodiment, transmissive member 186 may be integrally formed as a unitary piece with nameplate 180. In another example embodiment, transmissive member 186 may be implemented as an insert to a frame member on nameplate 180, and/or detachably attached thereto. For example, with reference to
Referring back to
In
In an example embodiment, code may be written in firmware of image forming device 100 to instruct controller 102 to check for an existence of a set of predetermined configuration settings to apply to image forming device 100 based on the output of optical sensor 190. For example, the detected transmissivity may direct controller 102 to access a lookup table T to look for an association or mapping where appropriate settings may be located. In an example embodiment, lookup table T includes transmissivity values that correlate to different sets of possible configuration settings for image forming device 100. Lookup table T may be stored in memory 103 of image forming device 100. Alternatively, lookup table T may be stored remotely over the Internet or in the cloud on a server, a USB drive, an external hard drive, or other storage location external to image forming device 100. An example lookup table showing transmissivity values (in terms of percentage) and corresponding settings, is illustrated in Table 1.
As shown, Table 1 includes a plurality of table records. Each table record includes a predetermined transmissivity range and a corresponding predetermined setting. The predetermined transmissivity range corresponds to a range of transmissivity values within which transmissivity of a transmissive member 186 being read may fall, and the corresponding predetermined setting indicates one or more settings, operating parameters, features, and/or functions to be configured, adjusted, or customized on image forming device. The predetermined settings, in this example, include four predetermined device settings A-D. As an example, if a transmissivity value of about 40% for a transmissive member 186 is detected, then image forming device 100 may be customized using predetermined settings included in Setting B. As a result, the lookup table in Table 1 provides a reference for determining settings for image forming device 100 using transmissivity values. The transmissivity ranges allows for tolerance variations with respect to transmissive members correlated to the same predetermined set of settings, and can be pre-calibrated during manufacture. Multiple samples of a reference transmissive member (i.e., transmissive members of the same kind having substantially the same transmissivity to be corresponded to a common set of settings) are measured for transmissivity to determine a transmissivity range for such kind of transmissive member. In this way, a transmissivity range and a corresponding characteristic is prepared and stored for each kind of transmissive member 187. It should be appreciated that testing of transmissive members to obtain different transmissivity ranges is performed using the same type or structure of optical sensor used by image forming device 100.
The number of table records and the predetermined transmissivity values and corresponding predetermined settings are not limited to the examples illustrated above. For example, the lookup table may include more or fewer table records, and other example embodiments may include a plurality of lookup tables including other parameters or values derived from the output of optical sensor 190, and corresponding predetermined settings provided and stored in memory 103. Controller 102 may utilize a plurality of table address pointers for specifying which lookup table to access.
In another example embodiment, frame 189 may include multiple transmissive members 186. For example, with reference to
According to an example embodiment, different possible configuration settings may be accomplished by providing a combination of multiple transmissive members having varying transmissivities. For example, transmissivity of transmissive members 186a, 186b, 186c may be varied to create a binary system for dividing the available electrical range into multiple sections. As an example, a first type of transmissive member having a first transmissivity may indicate a binary 0 value while a second type of transmissive member having a second transmissivity may indicate a binary 1 value. In the example embodiment where there are three (3) transmissive members in frame 189, 8 bits of information, corresponding to 23 or eight (8) possible combinations, are available for indicating configuration settings to be applied. With two (2) transmissive members 186, a 2-bit digital signature can be created having 22 or 4 possible combinations for indicating configuration settings to be applied. Generally, with N number of transmissive members 186, 2N possible combinations can be used. This example embodiment can provide relatively fewer unique components to manage which can be advantageous for manufacturing. In an alternative example embodiment, each transmissive member on frame 189 indicates a different customization or configuration setting to be applied.
In another example embodiment, multiple transmissive members may be positioned in a stacked arrangement along a single aperture on frame 189. For example, with reference to
In one example embodiment, transmissivity of a transmissive member 186 may be measured as a relative measurement obtained by measuring an amount of optical energy received by receiver 192 with the absence of the transmissive member 186 and the amount of optical energy received by receiver 192 when the transmissive member 186 is between transmitter 191 and receiver 192. For example, a baseline measurement reading may be obtained by emitting optical energy along the optical path from transmitter 191 to receiver 192 while no nameplate is mounted on support 176. When a nameplate 180 is mounted on support 176 and transmissive member 186 moves into the optical path of optical sensor 190, optical energy collected by receiver 192 may correspond to an actual measurement reading. A ratio between the actual measurement and the baseline measurement readings may be used to determine transmissivity of transmissive member 186. For example, transmissivity may be determined using a mathematical relationship: T=Y/X; where T corresponds to transmissivity, Y corresponds to the actual measurement reading and X corresponds to the baseline measurement reading. As an example, consider a baseline measurement reading having some trivial output of about 10 volts and an actual measurement reading of about 8 volts. In terms of percentage, transmissivity of the transmissive member is about 80%. Alternatively, actual measurement reading may be directly correlated to a transmissivity value and a corresponding predetermined set of configuration settings, in other example embodiments. It is also contemplated that other means for representing transmissivity may also be used.
Optical sensor 190 may be calibrated to compensate for design tolerances, sensitivity variations, and the like. For example, optical energy may be directed onto receiver 192 without any interruption or obstruction, such as when nameplate is not mounted on support 176, to produce an output voltage. If the output voltage is below a predetermined threshold, controller 102 may adjust the signal for driving transmitter 191 such that the output voltage corresponds to a desired voltage output. As will be appreciated, other methods for calibrating optical sensor 190 may be used as are known in the art.
In an example embodiment, an independent power source 107 (
According to another example embodiment, a second replaceable component may be provided with a second transmissive member that is readable by optical sensor 190. For example, with reference to
Second replaceable member 210 includes a second transmissive member 212 protruding from a surface thereof. In one example embodiment, optical sensor 190 may be operative to simultaneously read both transmissive members 186, 212 of nameplate 180 and second replaceable member 210, respectively, when both are installed as shown in
In another example embodiment, individual transmissivity of transmissive members 186, 212 may each be measured and used to determine configuration settings to apply to image forming device 100. For example, transmissivity of second transmissive member 212 may first be measured in the absence of transmissive member 186 of nameplate 180. While second transmissive member 212 is positioned along the optical path of optical sensor 190, nameplate 180 may be installed to also position its transmissive member 186 along the optical path. Thereafter, the change in the amount of optical energy received by receiver 192 may then be used to determine transmissivity of transmissive member 186. As an example, net transmissivity may be determined based on the new amount of optical energy received by receiver 192. Because the net transmissivity corresponds to the product of both transmissivities of transmissive members 186, 212, transmissivity of transmissive member 186 may be determined by dividing the net transmissivity by the initially determined transmissivity of second transmissive member 212. In an alternative example embodiment, a single optical source may be used with multiple receivers to read multiple transmissive members independently. Each transmissivity value determined may be individually used to determine configuration settings to apply to image forming device 100. Alternatively, the particular combination of the transmissivity values may be used to determine customization settings.
In another example embodiment, transmissivity of second transmissive member 212 of second replaceable member 210 may be used to allow hardware to lock out certain types of modes or operations of image forming device 100. In particular, transmissivity of second transmissive member 212 may be used to lock image forming device 100 into a specific mode which cannot be modified by changing only software. In order to unlock such mode and enable a different mode, second replaceable member 210 would need to be replaced with a component having a transmissive member that can indicate a new mode of operation. Otherwise, the mode may not be overwritten by software installations or updates and may stay resident through firmware upgrade or even if the controller board is replaced. On the other hand, transmissivity of transmissive member 186 associated with nameplate 186 may be used to accommodate other customizable settings of image forming device 100. In this example embodiment, image forming device 100 may be hardware constrained to use specific modes of operations using second transmissive member 212, and at the same time readily customizable using transmissive member 186 of nameplate 180.
In one example embodiment, transmissivity of transmissive member 230 may be measured as a relative measurement obtained by measuring an amount of optical energy received by optical detector 240 from external light source 245 with the absence of transmissive member 230 (i.e., when nameplate 180 is not mounted on support 176) and the amount of optical energy received by optical detector 240 when transmissive member 230 is covering aperture 234 (i.e., when nameplate 180 is mounted on support 176). For example, a baseline measurement reading may be obtained by directly emitting optical energy onto optical detector 240 using external light source 245 while nameplate 180 is not mounted on support 176. When nameplate 180 is mounted on support 176, external light source 245 may be used to illuminate transmissive member 230. Optical energy collected by optical detector 240 may correspond to an actual measurement reading and, together with the baseline measurement, may be used by controller 102 to calculate the transmissivity of transmissive member 230.
In other example embodiments, transmissive members of differing sizes or shapes can be used, and other patterns, positioning or spacing between transmissive members, and other arrangements between transmissive member(s) and sensor(s), may be implemented. Additionally, one or more passive or active wiper features (not shown) may be disposed adjacent the slot(s) and upstream of the optical sensor, relative to the direction of insertion of the transmissive member(s) into corresponding slot(s), for cleaning the optical surfaces of the transmissive member(s) prior to being read by the optical sensor. A plurality of lookup tables including different transmissivity values or other parameters derived therefrom and corresponding configuration settings for customizing image forming device 100, may be provided and stored in memory 103. Controller 102 may utilize a plurality of table address pointers for specifying which lookup table to access.
The above example embodiments have been described with respect to utilizing transmissivity of optically readable features to indicate settings to apply to image forming device 100. According to another example embodiment, reflectivity of an optically readable feature may also be used, in lieu of or in addition to using transmissivity, to provide such information. For example, in
With the above example embodiments, image forming device 100 can be customized with relatively less steps and time required by utilizing optically readable features on nameplates, which can allow for supply chain cost reductions. Further, although the description of the details of the example embodiments have been described using nameplates, it will be appreciated that the teachings and concepts provided herein are applicable to any replaceable member of image forming device 100 which are replaceable when performing customizations. Additionally, although the example embodiments discuss the customization of an image forming device, it will be appreciated that the configuration settings of an electronic device other than an image forming device (e.g., a desktop, laptop or tablet computer, a smartphone, a video game console, the controller of an automobile or a manufacturing machine, etc.) may be updated or customized using an optical sensor and a corresponding optical member as discussed herein.
The foregoing description illustrates various aspects and examples of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.
This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/573,290, filed Dec. 17, 2014, entitled “Systems for Configuring Settings of an Electronic Device for Customization Thereof.”
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040119805 | Yamanaka | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20140169810 | Leemhuis | Jun 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170052503 A1 | Feb 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14573290 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | 15344654 | US |
