Systems and methods for implementing virtual customer replaceable unit monitors for solid ink customer replaceable units in managed print service environments

摘要

A system and method are provided for implementing virtual customer replaceable unit monitors (CRUMs) for solid ink customer replaceable units (CRUs) that are used in image forming devices, particularly in managed print service environments. Molded products, including solid ink elements, are marked to aid in generally effecting identification and/or authenticity verification, and/or in specifically effecting compatibility matching in an image forming device in which the solid ink CRUs are used. One or more ultraviolet (UV) ink based two dimensional 2D barcodes are provided on a solid ink CRU for identification of the solid ink CRU by a reading mechanism in an image forming device. The use of a UV ink that is not easily visually discernible provides a level of protection against easily detecting, and attempting to copy the identifying information. The image forming process would essentially consume the virtual CRUM on the solid ink CRU in image processing.

主权项

1. A method of identifying a solid ink product, comprising:
providing a solid ink product with a non-visually discernible labeling; imaging, with a sensor, a surface of the solid ink product in a manner that exposes, records and interprets information in the labeling; comparing, with a processor, the information obtained from the labeling with stored identification information for the solid ink product; assessing, with the processor, at least one of an identification, authorization or compatibility of the solid ink product based on the comparing; and outputting a result of the assessing.