| Got one of these? |
| Then you may need one of these: |
| Introduction |
| Do you like your CatGenie but dislike the recurring cost of cartridges? Want to free your CatGenie to run without a cartridge or with a refilled cartridge? Then CartridgeGenius is just what you are looking for: CartridgeGenius is a cartridge emulator that puts you back in control of your CatGenie by making it think it has a full cartridge. With this device, you will truly own your CatGenie without updating its firmware. Just hook up this device, that's all. The Genie is finally out of the bottle! |
| How it works |
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CartridgeGenius is a drop-in replacement for the cartridge tag reader in your CatGenie. It simulates the presence of both the original tag reader and the tag on the cartridge. This simulated cartridge is called a virtual cartridge. This enables you to repair your CatGenie in case the original tag reader breaks down, or to continue using your CatGenie in case the supplier goes out of business, as was the case with the LitterFree box. In other words: CartridgeGenius puts you back in control of your appliance! |
| Demonstration |
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Below is a movie demonstrating CartridgeGenius:
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| Features |
CartridgeGenius does a little more than just simulating a cartridge. It extends your possibilities and allows you to wash your CatGenie as often as you want, without paying the penalty. Below is a list of its features:
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| Installing |
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And you don't need to be a genius to install CartridgeGenius either. Anybody who knows which end of a screwdriver to hold and is not afraid to use it can install CartridgeGenius on their CatGenie. Just watch this instruction video:
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| Responsibility |
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Installing this component involves opening the processing unit of your CatGenie. It directly connects to the internal low-voltage electronic circuits of your CatGenie. In a very far-fetched short circuit situation, it is theoretically possible that the exposed conductors on the CartridgeGenius will carry live mains voltage. Since I have no influence on how well or carefully CartridgeGenius is installed, I can take no responsibility whatsoever for any resulting damage or injuries from installing CartridgeGenius. In other words: Installing CartridgeGenius and any resulting damage from installing or using it is completely at your own risk. By buying this component, you agree to that. Some alternative detergents are harmful to the internal silicone tubing of your CatGenie. You can either refill your cartridges with plain tap water, as I do, to keep the tubing and pump in good shape. Or you can test an alternative solution with some silicone tubing available in any RC model car shop, where they will call it fuel line. Make sure you get silicone fuel line as used for methanol-containing fuels, not the one used for actual petrol. Cut off a piece, put it in the bottle of detergent for a couple of days, and if it still feels intact afterward, the detergent should be safe for your CatGenie. But here too, selecting and using an alternative detergent is at your own risk. |
| Compatibility |
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CartridgeGenius works on all Model 120 and Model 120+ CatGenie litter boxes. It is also compatible with VIC Club (Very Important Cats Club) boxes, but only after you have fulfilled your VIC 1080 or VIC 840 supply contract. CartridgeGenius is not compatible with the older Model 60, nor is it compatible with the latest CatGenie litter box, CatGenie A.I., introduced at the end of 2019. See the 'Concerning CatGenie A.I.' section below for details. |
| Warranty |
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That's simple: This hand-assembled device comes with a one year warranty. If it's defective, unable to do what it's supposed to do, and it's not caused by mishandling, I will repair it or replace it for free. However, you do have to pay for shipment back and forth. Having said that, CartridgeGenius will most likely outlive the mechanics of your CatGenie by far. I have to make one exception for the warranty: I cannot guarantee this CartridgeGenius to work with future CatGenies, as I have already seen countermeasures. Therefore, CartridgeGenius not working on a newly replaced CatGenie is not covered. If you have just purchased CartridgeGenius and it doesn't work with your current CatGenie, we will help you get it to work. If we can't, we will offer you to send it back for a refund of the purchase price (not including shipment). |
| Generic tips |
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Download the manual first. It will give you a good impression of what you're buying and how to use it. If you own a compatible CatGenie and you're considering buying a CartridgeGenius, then please do so now because the device may no longer be available in the future. The devices we have in stock are the only devices left, and I don't think I will build another batch due to countermeasures in the latest revision CatGenies. Don't wait until your cartridge is depleted before ordering or installing CartridgeGenius. Keep a working original cartridge at hand because it's a very useful tool when diagnosing problems. If you have a problem, my first question will be: Does the problem occur when using the original cartridge reader with an original cartridge? |
| Concerning CatGenie A.I. |
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The latest CatGenie litter box, CatGenie A.I., is not supported by CartridgeGenius. In the new CatGenie A.I., the controller board is integrated with the cartridge reader board, as a whole mounted to the side of the cartridge well. There may be a signal on this board to intercept and mimic, but it is not available on a connector a regular user can unplug and replug into a CartridgeGenius or similar device. Even if I can make a board that's reasonably easy to install for regular users and even if this board could emulate a cartridge chip, the Internet-of-Things nature of this new box may allow the manufacturer to validate cartridge chips with their server at their headquarters. A duplicated cartridge chip would work once, for one user on one box but would be invalidated afterward, no longer allowing it to work for others. So do not expect an updated CartridgeGenius for this box. I don't think the new features on the AI box are that much of a deal maker. The whole A.I. hoopla, learning your cat's routine could work great, if done right. In that case, even learning the combined pattern of multiple cats should be no problem. But I doubt that effort was spent. The new user interface is marginally better. Instead of beeping at you, the box will now talk at you, playing prerecorded error messages. Personally, I dislike being talked at, and since only three different errors can occur, I don't see the pros. The app or web interface may offer better control over the timer, also clarifying errors or warning you when the cartridge level is getting low. But this improvement comes at the price of needing to buy cartridges again... And then there's still the problem as is with all 'Internet of Things' devices: They are all dependent on a server of their manufacturer. As soon as that is taken offline, because the manufacturer goes out of business, deems it too costly to operate and maintain, or has a newer product to push, your 'Internet of Things' device's functionality will be limited, or it will stop working altogether. As long as you can still buy the CatGenie 120 box, that's the one I'm recommending. At some moment, they may - or may not - decide to stop selling the CatGenie 120 box to fight CartridgeGenius. This decision may pivot on how new box sales replace old box sales, so you as a customer can make a statement with your purchase. |
| Ordering |
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CartridgeGenius comes with a set of two cables to connect it to the controller board. On early CatGenies, the original cable connecting the original cartridge reader to the controller board could be used. But on more recent CatGenies, one of the supplied cables must be used. Since both early and more recent CatGenies work with the supplied cables, I recommend always using one of the supplied cables. Of these two supplied cables, just choose the one cable that fits your model during installation. If you still don't get it to work after my help, I will be happy to refund your payment minus shipping, after I receive it back. CartridgeGenius devices are $119.50 each, including a cable set but not including shipment. You can order by using the PayPal button below. CartridgeGenius with cable set: $119.50 Cable set only: $8.50 Please note: If PayPal reports CartridgeGenius to be sold out, please try again a few days later or send an email to the address below. This is still a spare-time project, and if orders cannot be fulfilled immediately, sales are temporarily halted by setting inventory to 0 to prevent people from complaining with PayPal. Also note: This is still a spare-time project, not a permanent product. I have a few devices in stock now, so if you want one, get one now. Like all previous batches, this may be the last batch I have built. If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to: cartridgegenius {at} gmail (dot) com |
| References |
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Jorge Lopez wrote an article about the litter box, the cartridges, and CartridgeGenius: https://medium.com/@jorge_lo/the-future-a-cat-litter-and-drm-6dbda26428f8 Techdirt wrote an article too: https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150102/09574429580/drm-how-to-turn-your-cats-litter-box-into-inkjet-printer.shtml References to these articles were posted on Reddit and even Slashdot: http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/2q2k6j/i_discovered_my_cat_litter_has_built_in_drm http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/2q4t5f/a_cat_litter_box_and_drm http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/14/12/22/2348254/an-automated-cat-litter-box-with-drm |