Securing Patents That Prevent Competitors From Advancing In That Direction

The final step is to secure patents that prevent competitors from advancing in whatever directions we think technology may be headed. For example, we know that dozens of different physical interfaces have been used to prevent generics from providing replacement cartridges. But we also know that physical interfaces can usually be defeated, and that in any event generics can always find a way to refill genuine cartridges. A better strategy would be to follow advances in security of automobiles and other areas, by replacing or supplementing physical constrains with electronic constraints. In the field of desktop printers, this would mean electronically interrogating a printer cartridge to obtain a serial number or other access code, and using the obtained information to limit use of the cartridge. Sample claims that place a heavy wet blanket over the competition in this regard might read:

1. A method of using a printer cartridge that contains a consumable medium, comprising:

electronically interrogating the cartridge to obtain information other than amount of remaining medium; and

using that information to restrict access to the cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the information to limit functioning of the cartridge to a specific computer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the information to limit functioning of the cartridge to a time period.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the information to limit functioning of the cartridge to a quantity of ink dispensed.

One could also use the same approach to block the competition from advancing technology with respect to using multiple different cartridges. This will become especially important as ink jet printers are used with different types of inks, and with media than can print electronic circuits, and so forth.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the information to ascertain a characteristic of the medium.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the characteristic comprises a color.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the characteristic comprises a chemical composition.

Keying off Canon's idea for interchangeable reader and printer cartridges, one should probably also secure claims that prevent competitors from interfacing interactively with the paper. For example, one might claim the following:

1. A method of using a printer cartridge that contains a consumable medium, comprising:

electronically interrogating the cartridge to obtain information other than amount of remaining medium; and

using that information to restrict access to the cartridge