Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for controlling the use of consumable accessory units with machines where a memory device associated with each accessory unit holds information concerning the accessory unit, and circuitry in the machine acts in response to the information. The information includes (1) the classes of machines with which the accessory unit is intended to be used (the machine issues a signal if the machine is not within one of the intended classes); (2) the concentration of the contents of the accessory unit (the machine operation is controlled on the basis of the concentration); (3) an encrypted authorization code (the machine issues a signal if the decrypted code is not an authorized one); (4) the manufacturing lot the accessory unit (the machine displays the lot number to the user); (5) the expiration date of the accessory unit (the machine issues a signal if the expiration date has passed); (6) a unique identification number to trigger the machine to compare a predetermined total number of permissible uses with the number of actual uses (the machine issues a signal when the accessory unit is deemed to be empty); (7) information concerning calibration of the machine (the electronic circuitry is calibrated in response to the information); (8) the range of permissible operating conditions for the machine in conjunction with the accessory unit (the machine displays the information for operator use); (9) the range of permissible use of the accessory unit (the machine displays the permissible uses to the operator); and (10) the range of permissible quantities of material that may be added to the accessory unit (the machine displays the information to the user).

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First Claim