Electrical refurbishment for ink delivery system

• US 6,227,638 B1
• Filed: 03/04/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Childers, Winthrop D., Bullock, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, JUANITA DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US09/034,875
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 347/7, 347/19, 347/23, 347/85-87, 347/14, 711/103
• US Class Current: 347/7
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16538 with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17526 Electrical contacts to the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1755 mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17569 based on the amount printed or to be printed
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17573 using optical means for ink level indication
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17576 using a floater for ink level indication
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 25/34 Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages

Abstract

Methods for electrically refurbishing a depleted single-use printer ink container for a printing system allow the ink container to be refilled and re-used. The memory device provides a signal when coupled to the printing system that indicates the volume of ink left in the container. The original memory device is not resettable by the printer. Four ways are described to refurbish the first memory device: (1) erase the memory with an irradiation source and reprogram; (2) remove the memory along with its electrical contacts; (3) leave the memory device and contacts in place and mount a new source of signals and contacts on top of the first set of electrical elements; or (4) sever continuity between the first electrical contacts and the first memory device and connect a second source of signals to the contacts. The new source of signals could be an emulator or a substitute memory device. The emulator or new memory device may be mounted to the ink container, or located remotely.

Claims

1. A method of re-using an ink container which is in an at least partially depleted of ink condition, the ink container including a first memory device associated with the ink container for communication with a printer when the ink container is connected to the printer, the first memory device containing first parameters relating to the ink contained in the at least partially depleted of ink condition of the ink container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) refilling the ink container with ink to a refilled ink condition;

(b) preventing the first parameters, related to the ink contained in the at least partially depleted of ink condition of the ink container from further communication with the printer when the ink container is connected to the printer; and

(c) modifying the first memory device by providing the ink container with a second memory device in place of the first memory device and storing second parameters in the second memory device such that when the ink container having the refilled condition is connected to the printer, the second parameters, related to the refilled ink condition of the ink container are electronically communicated with the printer.

2. A method of re-using an ink container which is in an at least partially depleted of ink condition, the ink container including a first memory device associated with the ink container for communication with a printer when the ink container is connected to the printer, the first memory device containing first parameters relating to the ink contained in the at least partially depleted of ink condition of the ink container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) refilling the ink container with ink to a refilled ink condition;

(b) removing the first memory device from the ink container to prevent the first parameters, related to the ink contained in the at least partially depleted of ink condition of the ink container from further communication with the printer when the ink container is connected to the printer; and

(c) modifying the first memory device by providing a second memory device in place of the first memory device and storing second parameters in the second memory device such that when the ink container having the refilled condition is connected to the printer, the second parameters, related to the refilled ink condition of the ink container are electronically communicated with the printer.

3. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by providing a second memory device as the source signals in place of the first memory device such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

4. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having write-once sectors of memory that have been electrically altered by the printing system during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by providing a second memory device as a source of signals in place of the first memory device, the second memory device having corresponding write-once sectors of memory that have not been altered by the printing system, such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from the source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

5. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts disposed on an end of the ink container which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by mounting a second plurality of ink container contacts on the end of the ink container proximate to a location of said first mentioned plurality of ink container contacts, such that upon installation of the ink container into the printing system, the second plurality of ink container contacts connect to the printer contacts such that with the ink container electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

6. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, wherein the first memory device and the plurality of ink container contacts are mounted to a first substrate that is secured to the ink container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) removing the first substrate from the ink container, along with the first memory device and the plurality of ink container contacts, by prying the first substrate from the ink container to prevent the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

7. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) severing electrical continuity between the first memory device and at least a portion of the plurality of ink container contacts to prevent the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) connecting the source of signals to said at least a portion of the plurality of ink container contacts to modify the first memory device such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

8. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, wherein the first memory device and the plurality of ink container contacts are mounted to a first substrate that is secured to the ink container, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by placing a second substrate having a second set of ink container contacts and a second memory device on top of the first memory device and said first mentioned plurality of ink container contacts such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

9. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by providing an emulator as a source of signals in place of the first memory device such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from the source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

10. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system the first memory device having a first plurality of write-once usage bits of memory that have been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container by being latched down by the printing system such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by providing a second memory device in place of the first memory device with a corresponding second plurality of write-once usage bits that have not been latched down by the printing system such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

11. A method of re-using an ink container having a reservoir that has been at least partially depleted of ink, the ink container having a first memory device that is coupled to a plurality of ink container contacts which engage mating printer contacts of a printing system upon installation of the ink container into the printing system for communicating between the first memory device and the printing system, the first memory device having a first plurality of write-once bits which includes an out of ink bit that has been electrically altered during usage of ink from the ink container by being latched down by the printing system such that the first memory device provides a remaining ink quantity signal to the printing system indicative of an “

ink out”

condition, the method comprising the steps of;

(a) preventing the remaining ink quantity signal of the first memory device of the ink container from communicating further with the printing system when the ink container is connected to the printing system; and

(b) modifying the first memory device by providing a second memory device in place of the first memory device, the second memory device having a second plurality of bits including a bit that has not been latched down such that when the ink container is electrically connected to the printer contacts, a signal from a source of signals is provided to the printing system indicative of an available ink state of the ink container that is greater than the at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink container previously signaled by the remaining ink quantity signal.

12. A method for re-using a printer ink container having an ink reservoir having a substantially depleted of ink condition, the ink container having a first memory device and a set of first contacts for exchanging information with a printer via an electrical connector on the printer, the first memory device having stored therein characteristics of the ink in the ink container including the quantity of ink left in the substantially depleted of ink condition of the ink reservoir, the printer having a circuit which reads information from the first memory device to enable the printer to operate and which provides ink usage information to the first memory device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) disabling the first memory device on the ink container such that the first memory device may no longer provide information to the printer when the ink container is connected to the printer; and

(b) electrically connecting to the ink container an electrical device in place of the first memory device, the electrical device having a source of signals for providing enabling information to the printer to enable the printer to operate.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first memory device and the set of first contacts are mounted to a first substrate that is secured to the ink container, and wherein step (a) comprises:

removing the first substrate along with the first memory device and the set of first contacts from the ink container by prying the first substrate from the ink container.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the first memory device and the set of first contacts are mounted to a first substrate that is secured to the ink container;

step (a) comprises severing the first substrate into a retained portion and a disposable portion, with at least a portion of the set of first contacts being located on the retained portion and the first memory device being located on the disposable portion; and

step (b) comprises connecting the source of signals to said at least a portion of the set of first contacts on the retained portion of the first substrate.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) comprises securing the electrical device and a set of second contacts on top of the first memory device and the set of first contacts.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) comprises affixing the electrical device directly to an exterior surface of the ink container.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) comprises remotely locating the electrical device from the ink container.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) comprises providing the electrical device with serial input/output circuitry so that input/output data, clocking requirements, electrical power and an electrical ground may be established between the electrical device and the printer when the ink container is connected to the printer.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein step (b) comprises providing the electrical device with a memory portion to enable the circuit of the printer to write ink usage information to the memory portion.

20. A method for re-using a printer ink container having an ink reservoir for holding and dispensing ink, the ink container having a first memory device which is connected to a single data contact and a reference contact on the ink container which is electrically coupled to a single data contact and a reference contact on the printer for providing data signals in a serial fashion on the single data contact of the ink container, relative to the reference contact of the ink container, which are indicative of information stored in the first memory device, the first memory device having been electrically altered during usage of the ink from the ink reservoir such that the first memory device provides a data signal to the printer indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) disabling the first memory device on the ink container such that the first memory device no longer provides the data signal to the printer indicative of at least a partially depleted ink state of the ink reservoir when the ink container is connected to the printer; and

(b) electrically connecting an electrical device to the ink container in place of the first memory device, the electrical device, when connected to the printer, providing data in a serial fashion on the single data contact of the printer relative to reference contact on the printer, the electrical device providing data which is indicative of ink being available in the ink reservoir of the ink container.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein when the ink container is connected to the printer after step (a), and wherein step (b) further comprises:

receiving from the printer an address data signal in the electrical device on the single data contact of the ink container which is representative of address information;

accessing information in the electrical device corresponding to the received address information; and

providing a signal to the signal data contact of the printer from the electrical device which is representative of the accessed information.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first memory device is further connected to a clock contact on the ink container for controlling information transfer between the printer and the first memory device and to a supply voltage contact on the ink container which, when connected to the printer, receives a supply voltage across the supply contact and the reference contact from the printer, and wherein step (b) further comprises:

when connecting the ink container to the printer after step (a), electrically connecting the electrical device to the clock contact and the supply contact of the printer.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the first memory device and the single data contact and reference contact of the ink container are mounted to a first substrate which is secured to the ink container, and wherein step (a) comprises removing first substrate, along with the first memory device, the single data contact and the reference contact, from the ink container.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the first memory device and the single data contact and reference contact are mounted to a first substrate that is secured to the ink container;

step (a) comprises severing the first substrate into a retained portion and a disposable portion, with at least a portion of the data and reference contacts being located on the retained portion and the first memory device being located on the disposable portion; and

step (b) comprises connecting the electrical device to said at least a portion of the ink container contacts on the retained portion of the first substrate.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the first memory device and the single data contact and reference contact of the ink container are secured to the ink container, and wherein step (b) comprises:

securing the electrical device on top of the first memory device, securing a second single data contact on top of said first mentioned single data contact of the ink container, and placing a second reference contact on top of said first mentioned reference contact of the ink container.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein step (b) comprises locating the electrical device remotely from the ink container.

27. A refurbished ink container for a printer, comprising:

a reservoir which is refilled with a replacement ink which has replaced original ink stored therein such that the reservoir exhibits a refilled ink condition; and

a source of signals associated with the ink container which is adapted to provide parameters relating to the refilled ink condition of the reservoir when electrically connected to the printer, the source signals having a memory portion which is capable of being written to by the printer for storing information relating to usage of the replacement ink stored in the reservoir, wherein the source of signals has a single data terminal and a reference terminal, the source of signals adapted to be responsive to control signals received from the printer on the single data terminal relative to the reference terminal for providing to the single data terminal relative to the reference terminal a data signal representative of stored information in the memory portion, the data signal adapted to be sensed by the printer.