Methods and systems for a configurable print cartridge

Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C347S085000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06786582

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Printing devices have become ubiquitous in society. These devices provide conveniences that were unfathomable only a short time ago. For example, a user, in the privacy of their home, can now take a picture with a digital camera and within seconds have a photo quality print in hand. Consumers very much enjoy this ability and convenience to print images instantaneously and without the hassles of taking film in to be processed. In this context printers and other printing devices have become much more than devices for printing text.
As the technological advances have increased the capabilities of printing devices, consumers demand ever more from the products. Consumers want high quality color printing from a compact machine. In addition to wanting great performance from a printer, consumers want to pay relatively low prices. The ink jet printer has gained wide acceptance in the consumer market because it provides this combination of features. It produces photo-quality color printing while being relatively inexpensive. Even though ink jet printers fulfill many consumer needs, consumers consistently expect gains in printing quality and/or decreased costs.
Accordingly, this invention arose out of concerns associated with providing a printer that satisfies consumer demand while lowering the cost of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The described embodiments relate to a configurable print cartridge that can be configured to receive ink from one of at least two possible ink paths depending upon a desired printer configuration. In one exemplary embodiment, the print cartridge has a body configurable to receive ink from at least two different ink supply configurations, and a fluid interface that when coupled with the body effectively selects one of the ink supply configurations.
A further embodiment involves a method comprising providing a print cartridge having a print head. The print cartridge has at least two ink supply paths for providing ink to the print head for use in printing. One of the ink supply paths can then be effectively selected.
Another method comprises constructing a print cartridge housing for holding components of the print cartridge. A first ink supply path is formed in the housing for receiving ink from a first ink source for use in a printer. At least one other ink supply path in the housing is formed for receiving ink from a second ink source that is different from the first ink source.


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patent: 6084617 (2000-07-01), Balazer
patent: 6145967 (2000-11-01), Langford et al.
patent: 6149267 (2000-11-01), Geissmann
patent: 6183076 (2001-02-01), Childers et al.
patent: 6505923 (2003-01-01), Yamamoto
patent: 0826504 (1998-03-01), None

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