Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-10-16
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302527
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to inkjet printing devices. More particularly, the present invention is related to inkjet printing devices that make use of a wireless link for transferring ink level information from a replaceable ink container to a printer portion.
Inkjet printers frequently make use of an inkjet printhead mounted within a carriage that is moved back and forth across print media, such as paper. As the printhead is moved across the print media, a control system activates the printhead to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text. Ink is provided to the printhead by a supply of ink that is either carried by the carriage or mounted to the printing system so as not to move with the carriage. For the case where the ink supply is not carried with the carriage, the ink supply can be in fluid communication with the printhead to replenish the printhead or the printhead can be intermittently connected with the ink supply by positioning the printhead proximate to the filling station whereupon the printhead is replenished with ink from the refilling station.
For the case where the ink supply is carried with the carriage, the ink supply may be integral with the printhead whereupon the entire printhead and ink supply is replaced when ink is exhausted. Alternatively, the ink supply can be carried with the carriage and be separately replaceable from the printhead or drop ejection portion.
Regardless of where the supply of ink is located within the printing system, it is critical that the printhead be prevented from operating when the supply of ink is exhausted. Operation of the printhead once the supply of ink is exhausted results in poor print quality, printhead reliability problems, and, if operated for a sufficiently long time without a supply of ink, can cause catastrophic failure of the printhead. This catastrophic failure results in permanent damage to the printhead. Therefore, it is important that the printing system be capable of reliably identifying a condition in which the ink supply is nearly or completely exhausted. This technique should be accurate, reliable, and relatively low cost, thereby tending to reduce the cost of the printing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a printing system having a printer portion and at least one replaceable printing component. The printer portion and the at least one replaceable printing component are configured for exchanging information therebetween. The printing system includes a first wireless link associated with the replaceable printing component. The wireless link is electrically connected to a sensor for sensing status of the replaceable printing component. The printing system includes a second wireless link associated with the printer portion. The second wireless link receives the replaceable printing component status information from the first wireless link for determining status of the replaceable printing component.
In one preferred embodiment, the first wireless link is a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency signal having replaceable printing component status information contained therein. The second wireless link is a radio frequency receiver for receiving the radio frequency signal and determining the replaceable printing component status based thereon.
Another aspect of the present invention is a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system. The replaceable printing component is configured for containing a supply of printing material for use by the printing system to form images on media. The replaceable printing component includes a sensor for sensing printing material in the replaceable printing component. The sensor provides a sensor output signal that is indicative of a printing material level in the replaceable printing component. Also included is a linking device that is electrically connected to the sensor. The linking device emits a broadcast signal that is indicative of the sensor output signal. The inkjet printing system receives the broadcast signal for determining the printing material level in the replaceable printing component.
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Hewlett--Packard Company
Le N.
Nghiem Michael
Sullivan Kevin B.
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