Code to manipulate the CTC USB+ dongle which contains a Microchip 11LC010-1 EEPROM chip. This chip controls how long a CTC USB+ printer will operate. Usually only a few hundred hours after which you must obtain a new USB "dongle" from CTC.
The dongle is not a USB device. Do not insert it into a computer.
USE THESE SKETCHES AT YOUR OWN RISK: THEY MAY RENDER YOUR dongle USELESS.
The Arduino sketch ctc_usb_dump.ino
found here may be used to dump the memory
in one of these dongles. See the Flickr photo set
https://www.flickr.com/photos/d-newman/sets/72157655345562039
for information on opening one of these devices and accessing the EEPROM contained
within. The EEPROM chip's data line (SOIC, Pin 5) goes to the Digital Pin 7 on an
Arduino. Do not plug the USB dongle into your CTC printer while it is also connected
to an Arduino.
The Arduino sketch ctc_usb_reset.ino
found here may be used to rewrite the
contents of one of these dongles to that of one new dongle sampled by a CTC USB+
owner.
Wire the Arduino and CTC+ dongle as per the directions above for the
ctc_usb_dump.ino
sketch.
USE THESE SKETCHES AT YOUR OWN RISK: THEY MAY RENDER YOUR dongle USELESS.