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The computer can be the source of the date. Unless you change the default on Windows type computers, the computer time comes from the Internet, so if it is turned off, the next time it turns on, it will be updated. There is also a real time clock in the computer, that is used when the machine is not connected to the Internet. It operated from the same battery as the CMOS chip.
As I said in an earlier post, the processor in the printer can be counting seconds to get elapsed time, no dates required. Someone mentioned that turning off the printer would stop that count. Not so. Some parts of the printer operate when the power is off. Since the power button on many printers is a soft button, the processor has to be operating all the times, if just to be waiting for the closure of the power switch. Many processors have a low power mode that is used for basic system timekeeping and other occasional activities, like the power on button. It is well within the power of the processor to be counting seconds in power down mode. I never turn my printers off, just let them hibernate until they get a signal from the computer. under those conditions, the processor is always working, waiting for the USB signal or the wireless signal to start printing. If the processor is counting seconds, the way to stop the count would be to unplug the printer. This assumes that there is no battery backup. I assume that there is no backup because this is such an inexpensive device.
So HOW does it know 365 days?
Where does it get the actual date to decide one year?
Does it last for 10 years if you only turn on the power once every ten days?
On 11/03/2016 11:57 PM, Harvey Altstadter hrconsult@... [Homebrew_PCBs] wrote:
No need for anything fancy, like a real time clock. The onboard processor in the printer only has to count seconds and store that info. When the appropriate number of seconds has elapsed, the processor tells the cartridge to shut off. No extra cost, the processor can easily handle this task while controlling the printer.
Harvey
On 11/3/2016 8:29 PM, 'Tony Smith' ajsmith1968@... [Homebrew_PCBs] wrote:
Oh, some printers have a built-in clock complete with backup battery. Unlikely to be the case with this printer, that sort of thing add a few cents to production costs.
That clock may never be updated after being set at the factory so changing the computer date won’t help.
Tony
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, 4 November 2016 1:15 PM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Pantum 2500 hack to direct print toner
So..... WHERE does the printer get the CURRENT DATE from?
and
WHAT IF YOUR PC DATE WAS SET TO THE SAME DATE EVERY TIME YOU TURN IT ON?
WHEN WOULD THE PRINTER DECIDE THE DATE HAS CHANGED?
So the real question here is IF you attach this printer to a PC thats sole purpose is to
print PCBs forever on this hacked printer then why would you care if you kept the the date
the same and then every time you were ready to print an image you could also reset that image creation date so nothing about that image attributes would carry into the print driver interogating dates.
On 11/03/2016 08:05 PM, 'Tony Smith' ajsmith1968@... [Homebrew_PCBs] wrote:
It’s simpler than that.
No idea of the exact scheme, but it’ll be something like when you put in a new cartridge the printer writes the current date & time (obtained from your PC) to the chips. When a year has passed it writes ‘Dead’ to the chip.
You used to be able to reset chips, now you need to get new ones along with your toner refill after the manufacturers closed that ‘loophole’.
Could be worse, HP at one point were writing the manufacture date to the chips so if you inserted a brand new cartridge you’d had sitting in on your shelf for a while, it would report is as ‘too old’ and kill it. Nasty.
Tony
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, 4 November 2016 8:29 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Pantum 2500 hack to direct print toner
If there is a self destruct after one year then there must be a real time clock of some sort, if it's a clock chip then it should be possible to intercept the clock reference by either changing the clock oscillator Cristal for one that has a frequency of 1/2 or 1/4 of the original. If the clock reference is taken from another reference the inserting a device by 2 or 4 IC would do the same. Another option could be to remove the clock backup power source is battery then the clock would always start with its default date/time it just depends on wether the full data time are used or just the day.
My preference would be to use a slower clock reference signal. When I get my printer (just ordered printer) I will look and see if I can find the if there's clock, it could be in the printer or in the cartridge.
Anyone got a view to this approach to extending the usable life of a cartridge.