Method and system for detecting low ink levels in a printing system and replacing ink cartridge without stopping printing operations
First Claim
1. A method of operating a printing system including a print head, an ink sub-tank to supply ink to the print head, and a removable ink tank to supply ink to the sub-tank, the removable ink tank including a memory device to store information associated with the removable ink tank, the method comprising:
- reading at least a portion of the information associated with the removable ink tank from the memory;
determining if ink in the sub-tank is below a predetermined threshold;
determining if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable;
if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold, entering a first operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head;
if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory differs from an expected value or the ink in the sub-tank is below the predetermined threshold, entering a second operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head and a signal is provided to a user indicating a low-ink operating condition; and
continuing to operate in the second operating condition for a predetermined number of print cycles, even if the removable ink tank is removed from the printing system, or until the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems that can detect low ink levels in an ink supply and that allows replacement of the ink supply without having to stop the printing operations. A printing system is provide with a sub-tank from which the print head receives ink. A removable ink tank supplies ink to the sub-tank. The removable ink tank is provided with a memory device to store information associated with the ink tank. A sensor is provided in the sub-tank from which the amount of ink in the sub-tank can be determined. The system reads the memory device on the ink tank and monitors the sensor in the sub-tank to determine operating conditions for the system. The ink tank can be replaced without having to stop the printing process.
19 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of operating a printing system including a print head, an ink sub-tank to supply ink to the print head, and a removable ink tank to supply ink to the sub-tank, the removable ink tank including a memory device to store information associated with the removable ink tank, the method comprising:
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reading at least a portion of the information associated with the removable ink tank from the memory;
determining if ink in the sub-tank is below a predetermined threshold;
determining if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable;
if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold, entering a first operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head;
if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory differs from an expected value or the ink in the sub-tank is below the predetermined threshold, entering a second operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head and a signal is provided to a user indicating a low-ink operating condition; and
continuing to operate in the second operating condition for a predetermined number of print cycles, even if the removable ink tank is removed from the printing system, or until the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A printing system comprising:
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a print head for printing on a medium;
an ink sub-tank coupled to the print head, the sub-tank providing ink to the print head during printing operations, the sub-tank including a sensor for providing signals based on an amount of ink in the sub-tank;
a removable ink tank coupled to the sub-tank, the removable ink tank providing ink to the sub-tank, the removable ink tank including a memory device for storing information associated with the removable ink tank;
means for reading at least a portion of the information associated with the removable ink tank from the memory and determining if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable; and
means for determining, based on the signals from the sensor, if ink in the sub-tank is below a predetermined threshold, wherein if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold, the printing system will operate in a first operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head, and if the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory differs from an expected value or the ink in the sub-tank is below the predetermined threshold, the printing system will operate in a second operating condition in which print operations can be performed by the print head and a signal is provided to a user indicating the low-ink operating condition for a predetermined number of print cycles, even if the removable ink tank is removed from the printing system, or until the information associated with the removable ink tank read from the memory is acceptable and the ink in the sub-tank is not below the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification