Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING A TONER CARTRIDGE
PRINTER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This PCT Application claims the benefit of US Patent Application No.
17/194,620, titled
Method And System For Converting A Toner Cartridge Printer, filed on March 8,
2021, the
contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this incorporated
herein by this reference
as though set forth in their entirety and to which priority is claimed. U.S.
Non-Provisional Patent
Application No. 17/194,620 is a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. Non-
Provisional Patent
Application No. 17/079,151, titled Method And System For Converting A Toner
Cartridge Printer,
filed on October 23, 2020, the contents of which are expressly incorporated
herein by this
incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in their entirety
and to which priority is
claimed.
FIELD OF USE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to printer cartridge
replacement. More
specifically, this disclosure relates to methods and systems of converting a
white toner cartridge
printer to a printer that prints with black toner.
BA CKGROUND
[0003] Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and White (W) (or CMYW) laser or
Light Emitting
Diode (LED) type printers come standard with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and White
toner and/or
drum cartridges. However, CMYW toner printers are generally unable to be
converted to print
with toner other than cyan, magenta, yellow, and white, as these printers lack
the appropriate toner
and/or drum cartridges and the appropriate raster image processor (RIP)
software for printing
cartridge re-mapping.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for a system and method for converting a standard
CMYW (four
cartridge) toner printer to print using black.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
[0005] To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize
other limitations that
will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification,
the toner printer
converting, refilling, and refurbishment systems and methods disclosed herein
preferably allow a
user to convert a CMYW printer into a CMYK or one that prints using black
toner.
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[0006] In various embodiments, the methods and systems may be used to convert
a four cartridge
white toner cartridge(s) and/or drum(s) printing machine to a printing machine
that prints with
black toner.
[0007] In one embodiment, a white CMYW toner cartridge printer is converted by
replacing one
of the standard color or white toner printing cartridges, from any slot, with
a black toner cartridge
and then using raster image processing (RIP) software to match or set in which
printer slot each of
the cartridges resides.
[0008] In another embodiment, a standard white toner cartridge printer is
converted by replacing
the color or white toner printing cartridge in the last toner printing
cartridge position with a black
toner cartridge.
[0009] In one embodiment, the cartridge re-mapping is used to allow a black
toner printing
cartridge to be put in the "W" (White) slot (which may be the first slot in
the printer) of a CYMW
printer and the CYM cartridges are all in their original slots.
[0010] In one embodiment the printing cartridge integrated circuits (chips)
may be swapped along
with the toner printing cartridges, and the RIP software is configured to
ensure that the correct
colors print regardless of which slot the colors or black toner cartridges are
placed.
[0011] The RIP software may allow or feature color rasterization, which
enables the printer to use
less toner by selectively removing pixels to use less toner. This feature
gives a nicer feel and ads
more durability to the finished product.
[0012] One embodiment may be a method of converting a CMYW toner printer to
print with black
toners, comprising the steps: providing a CMYW toner printer; wherein the CMYW
toner printer
has four starting toner printing cartridges; wherein the four starting toner
printing cartridges
comprise a white toner printing cartridge, a cyan toner printing cartridge, a
magenta toner printing
cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing one or more of the
four starting toner
printing cartridges from the CMYW toner printer, such that there are one or
more empty toner
cartridge slots; providing a black toner printing cartridges that are each
filled with one type of one
or more non-standard toners; and installing the black toner printing cartridge
into the one or more
empty toner cartridge slots. The method may also comprise providing raster
image processor (RIP)
software, such that the CMYW toner printer is able to incorporate the black
toner into one or more
images printed by the CMYW toner printer. The RIP software allows for rem
apping of the CMYW
toner printer. The black toner printing cartridge may each have an appropriate
chip, such that when
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the black toner printing cartridge is installed in the CMYW printer the
appropriate chip is
configured to allow the black toner printing cartridges to be recognized by
the CMYW toner
printer. The CMYW toner printer may be a laser toner printer. The CMYW toner
printer may be
a LED toner printer.
[0013] One embodiment may be a method of converting a CMYW toner printer to
print with a
non-standard toner, comprising the steps: providing a CMYW toner printer;
wherein the CMYW
toner printer has four starting printing cartridges; wherein the four starting
printing cartridges
comprise a white toner printing cartridge, a cyan toner printing cartridge, a
magenta toner printing
cartridge, and a yellow toner printing cartridge; removing the white toner
printing cartridge from
the CMYW toner printer, such that there is an empty toner cartridge slot;
providing a black toner
printing cartridge that is filled with black toner; and installing the black
toner printing cartridge
into the empty toner cartridge slot. The method may also comprise the step of
providing raster
image processor (RIP) software, such that the CMYW toner printer is able to
incorporate the black
toner into one or more images printed by the CMYW toner printer. The RIP
software may allow
for remapping of the CMYW toner printer. The black toner printing cartridge
may have an
appropriate chip, such that when the black toner printing cartridge is
installed in the CMYW printer
the appropriate chip is configured to allow the black toner printing cartridge
to be recognized by
the CMYW toner printer. The CMYW toner printer may be a laser toner printer.
The CMYW
toner printer may be a LED toner printer.
[0014] In some embodiments, once the non-standard toner cartridges have been
swapped in, the
printer settings and/or RIP software may allow the user to utilize those
swapped in toners by telling
the printer to print using the toners that were removed. So, for example, if
the cyan toner cartridge
was removed, then the printer may print 100% cyan to print using the black
swapped in cartridge.
[0015] It is an object of the present system and method for converting a CMYW
toner cartridge
printer into a printer that is a CMYK toner cartridge printer.
[0016] It is an object of the present system and method for raster image
processor software to
provide cartridge remapping, which allows the system to print using a black
toner from different
cartridge positions.
[0017] In one embodiment of the system and method may use new empty or
recycled empty toner
cartridges that have been pre-cleaned and filed with a black toner. In this
embodiment the original
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cartridge(s) that are removed do not have to be cleaned and filed, they can
immediately be replaced
by a prefilled new or used cartridge.
[0018] Other features and advantages inherent in the system and method for
converting a standard
toner cartridge printer into white, metallic, or light toner printer claimed
and disclosed will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description
and its accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate
all embodiments.
Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be
apparent or
unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration.
Some embodiments
may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the
components or
steps, which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different
drawings, it refers to the
same or like components or steps.
[0020] FIG.1 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to print with a black toner with a single cartridge conversion.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to a CMYK toner printer.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to print with black toner printing cartridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more
embodiments. However, these
embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In
other instances,
well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in
detail so as not
to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments.
[0024] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will
become apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will
be realized, these
embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all
without departing from
the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the screen shots, figures,
and the detailed
descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive. Also, the
reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted
to limit the scope of
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protection.
[0025] In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe
certain features of one
or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise
specified, the term
"substantially" refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of
an action,
characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in
one embodiment, an object
that is "substantially" located within a housing would mean that the object is
either completely
within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable
degree of deviation
from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context.
However, generally
speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall
result as if absolute
and total completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" is also equally
applicable when
used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack
of an action,
characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
[0026] As used herein, the terms "approximately" and "about" generally refer
to a deviance of
within 15% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the
term
"approximately" and "about", refer to a deviance of between 0.0001-40% from
the indicated
number or range of numbers.
[0027] In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe
certain features of one
or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise
specified, the term
"printing cartridge(s)" generally refers to a toner cartridge, a laser toner
cartridge, a LED toner
cartridge, a drum cartridge, and/or a combined toner and drum cartridge.
[0028] As used herein, the term "toner" generally refers to a powder,
particulate, or dry ink that is
used in laser printers, printers, and printing machines to form the printed
text and images on the
medium being printed. Generally, toner particles are melted by the heat of a
fuser, and bound to
the media.
[0029] Regarding a CMYW printer, the letter "W" preferably stands for white.
[0030] Regarding a CMYK printer, the letter "K" refers to a standard (or non-
standard) black
toner.
[0031] The present specification discloses a system and method for converting
a four cartridge
white toner cartridge printer to a CMYK (color and black) toner printer. The
method and system
for converting a toner cartridge printer to a black and color toner printer
preferably requires no
special or dedicated printer drivers.
[0032] The present method and system for converting a white toner cartridge
printer to a CMYK
toner printer may allow the conversion of: (1) a conversion of a CMYW machine
that has
combined toner and drum cartridges; (2) a conversion of a CMYW machine that
has separate toner
and drum cartridges; and (3) a conversion of a CMYW machine with a single drum
and separate
toner printing cartridges.
[0033] Regarding the conversion of a CMYW machine that has a separate toner
and drum
cartridges, the conversion may comprise replacing one or more of the color
cartridges or the white
cartridge with a black toner printing cartridge and replacing the accompanying
drum with a black
drum.
[0034] Regarding the conversion of a CMYW machine that has separate toner
printing cartridges,
but a single drum cartridge, the conversion may comprise replacing the white
or one or more of
the color cartridges with a black toner printing cartridge and cleaning the
accompanying drum
portion of the respective toner(s) and priming it with black toner(s).
[0035] In another embodiment, the one or more black toner printing cartridges
may be provided
by disassembling the removed printing cartridges to create one or more empty
cartridges, which
are then cleaned and refilled with a black toner.
[0036] In one embodiment, the starting cyan, yellow, magenta, and white toner
printing cartridges
are original/new cartridges. In another embodiment the starting cyan, yellow,
magenta, and white
toner printing cartridges themselves were previously used and/or refurbished.
[0037] In various embodiments the positioning of the non-standard toner
cartridge(s) and the
programming of the RIP software allows the user to print with the black toner
cartridge(s)
concurrently with the other colors in a single layer or print the black toner
as a separate layer before
and/or after the other colors have printed.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to print with a black toner with a single cartridge conversion.
FIG. 1 shows that the
method 1100 may comprise the steps: providing a CMYW toner printer with four
toner printing
cartridges, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and white (W) 1105; the
cartridges may be in any
order and the white cartridge may be in any position 1110; removing the white
toner printing
cartridge 1112; providing a non-standard toner printing cartridge 1115;
installing the black toner
printing cartridge into the cartridge position that is empty after the white
cartridge was removed
1120; and providing raster image processor (RIP) software for cartridge
remapping if necessary
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1130.
[0039] The RIP software may allow the printer to recognize the non-standard
toner printing
cartridge and specifically incorporate that toner into the image.
[0040] The black toner cartridge may each have a chip that allows the printer
to recognize that the
black toner has replaced the white cartridge, so that RIP software may
automatically recognize tha
black has been put into the printer to replace the white toner cartridge. In
other embodiments, the
user may manually enter into the RIP software where the black toner was
inserted into the printer.
The RIP software is configured to allow the printer to print images that
incorporate the black toner.
In some embodiments, the user may move around the three starting color toners
after taking out
the white toner. The black toner is then inserted into the empty slot and the
RIP software is used
to remap the printer.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to a CMYK toner printer. FIG. 2 shows that the method 1200 may
comprise the
steps: providing a CMYW toner printer with four toner printing cartridges,
cyan (C), magenta (M),
yellow (Y), and white (W) 1205; the cartridges may be in any order and the
white cartridge may
be in any position 1210; removing the white toner printing cartridge 1212;
providing a black toner
printing cartridge with an appropriate chip, wherein the chip allows the black
toner printing
cartridge to be recognized by the CMYW toner printer 1215; installing the
black toner printing
cartridge into the cartridge position that is empty after the white cartridge
was removed 1220;
providing raster image processor (RIP) software for cartridge remapping if
necessary 1230; the
RIP software may: (1) allow the printer to recognize the black toner printing
cartridge and
specifically incorporate that toner into the image. The black toner may have a
chip that allows the
printer to recognize that the black toner has replaced the white cartridge. In
other embodiments,
the user may manually enter into the RIP software that the black toner was
inserted into the printer.
The RIP software is configured to allow the printer to print images that
incorporate the black toner.
In some embodiments, the user may move around the three color toners after
taking out the white
toner. The black toner is then inserted into the empty slot and the RIP
software is used to remap
the printer.
[0042] In some embodiments 1240, the black toner printing cartridge that is
provided is the white
toner printing cartridge that has been removed. The method may further
comprise the steps:
= disassembling the removed white printing cartridge;
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= emptying and cleaning said disassembled and removed white printing
cartridge;
= reassembling the empty, cleaned, disassembled, and removed white printing
cartridge, such
that an empty printing cartridge is created; and
= filling said empty printing cartridge with the black toner, such that the
black toner printing
cartridge that is filled with the black toner is created.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a flow block diagram of one embodiment of the method of
converting a CMYW
toner printer to print with black toner printing cartridge. FIG. 3 shows that
the method of
converting a CMYW toner printer 2000 may comprise the steps: providing a CMYW
toner printer
with four toner printing cartridges: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and
white (W) 2005;
wherein the four toner printing cartridges may be in any order 2010 within the
CMYW toner
printer; removing one or more of the four toner printing cartridges (one, two,
three, or four of the
starting toner printing cartridges may be removed) 2015; providing a black
toner printing cartridge;
the provided black toner printing cartridge may be new or recycled/refurbished
2020; and installing
the black toner printing cartridge into the slot or one of the slots where the
one or more starting
toner printing cartridges were removed 2025. IIn some embodiments, the method
may further
comprise providing raster image processor (RIP) software for cartridge
remapping if necessary
2040. In another embodiment, the black toner printing cartridges each have an
appropriate chip,
such that when it is installed the chip allows the black toner printing
cartridge to be recognized by
the CMYW toner printer 2050.
[0044] In some embodiments, the method may comprise, as examples and not by
limitation:
= removing all four starting toner cartridges and replacing them with four
CMYK
sublimation toner cartridges
= removing all four starting toner cartridges and replacing them with three
CMY fluorescent
cartridges and a black toner cartridge
= removing all four starting toner cartridges and replacing them with three
CMY light/pastel
cartridges and a black toner cartridge
= removing the three CMY colored cartridges and replacing them with CMY
fluorescent
cartridges
= removing the three CMY colored cartridges and replacing them with three
CMY
light/pastel cartridges
= removing the yellow cartridge and replacing it with gold metallic
8
= removing the white cartridge and replacing it with black
= any combination of the above and the swapping may or may not include
matching similar
incoming toners to the outgoing toners
[0045] In some embodiments, the removed starting toner Unless otherwise
stated, all
measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and
other specifications,
which set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow,
are approximate, not exact.
They are intended to have a reasonable range, which is consistent with the
functions to which they
relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
[0046] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been
presented for the purposes
of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed,
still other embodiments
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed
description, which shows
and describes the illustrative embodiments. As will be realized, these
embodiments are capable of
modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the
spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as
illustrative in nature
and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more
additional embodiments may
be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the
reference or non-
reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the
scope of protection. It is
intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed
description, but by the claims
and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
[0047] Except as stated immediately above, nothing which has been stated or
illustrated is
intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component,
step, feature, object,
benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is
or is not recited in the
claims.
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