Printing cartridge with pressure sensor array identification

• US 6,857,719 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US09/922,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 347/5, 347/6, 347/7, 347/17, 347/19, 347/75, 347/86, 347/87, 400/703
• US Class Current: 347/17
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1623 bonding and adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1626 etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1628 dry etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1629 wet etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1635 dividing the wafer into individual chips
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1637 molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1642 thin film formation by CVD [chemical vapor deposition]
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1643 thin film formation by plating
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1645 thin film formation by spincoating
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1646 thin film formation by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1648 Production of print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 : Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 : Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 : in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 : Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 : Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 : by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 : multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 : using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 : 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 : using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 : for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A printing cartridge includes a housing. An array of pressure sensor actuators is positioned on the housing. The array of pressure sensor actuators represents data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant so that when a pressure sensor array is actuated by the array of pressure sensor actuators, a signal carrying such data can be generated.

Claims

1. A printing cartridge that comprises

a housing;

and

an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing, the pressure sensor actuators being positioned to represent data relating to at least one of;

a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant, so that the pressure sensor actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of pressure sensors in a pressure sensor array to generate a signal carrying such data.

2. A method of determining a media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of pressure sensors within an array of pressure sensors in a printing device, upon engagement of a printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of pressure sensors being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media colorant.

3. A printing cartridge that comprises

a housing;

a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant; and

an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing, the pressure sensor actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media colorant so that the pressure sensor actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of pressure sensors in an array of pressure sensors to generate a signal carrying such data.

4. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data represented by the array of pressure sensor actuators relates to at least one of:

a serial number identifying the media colorant, a type of the media colorant, a viscosity of the media colorant, a surface tension of the media colorant, optical characteristics of the media colorant and an optimal ink drop volume corresponding to a type of media.

5. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 3, in which the array of pressure sensor actuators is in the form of an array of projections that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the array of pressure sensors when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device.

6. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 5, in which each projection in the array of projections is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding pressure sensor in the form of a micro electromechanical pressure sensor.

7. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 5, in which the array of projections is the product of an injection micromolding process.

8. A method of determining media of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of pressure sensors within an array of pressure sensors in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of pressure sensors being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media.

9. A printing cartridge that comprises

a housing;

a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media; and

an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing, the pressure sensor actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media so that the pressure sensor actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of pressure sensors in an array of pressure sensors to generate a signal carrying such data.

10. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data represented by the array of pressure sensor actuators relates to at least one of:

a serial number identifying the media, a type of the media, and a length of the media.

11. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 9, in which the array of pressure sensor actuators is in the form of an array of projections that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the array of pressure sensors when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device.

12. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 11, in which each projection in the array of projections is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding pressure sensor which is in the form of a micro electromechanical pressure sensor.

13. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 11, in which the array of projections is the product of an injection micromolding process.

14. A method of determining media and media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of pressure sensors within an array of pressure sensors in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of pressure sensors being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors, when actuated, generate a signal carrying data relating to the media and the media colorant.

15. A printing cartridge that comprises

a housing;

media and media colorant supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and a supply of media colorant, respectively; and

an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing, the pressure sensor actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media and the media colorant so that the pressure sensor actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of pressure sensors in an array of pressure sensors to generate a signal carrying such data.

16. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 15, wherein the data represented by the array of pressure sensor actuators relates to at least one of:

a serial number identifying the media, a serial number identifying the media colorant, a length of the media, a type of the media, a viscosity of the media colorant, a surface tension of the media colorant, optical characteristics of the media colorant and an optimal ink drop volume of the media colorant corresponding to the type of media.

17. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 15, in which the array of pressure sensor actuators is in the form of an array of projections that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the array of pressure sensors when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device.

18. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 17, in which each projection in the array of projections is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding pressure sensor that is in the form of a micro electromechanical pressure sensor.

19. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 17, in which the array of projections is the product of an injection micromolding process.

20. A printing device that comprises

a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant, an array of pressure sensor actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant;

a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media colorant feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and

an array of pressure sensors positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant, such predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array being actuable by the array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the array of pressure sensors generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant of the printing cartridge.

21. A printing device as claimed in claim 20, in which the array of pressure sensors is in the form of a micro electro-mechanical system.

22. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which the array of pressure sensors is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique.

23. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which each pressure sensor is configured to be actuable by a projection defining one of the pressure sensor actuators bearing against the pressure sensor.

24. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which the pressure sensors are in the form of capacitive pressure sensors.

25. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which the pressure sensors are in the form of piezoresistive pressure sensors.

26. A printing device that comprises

a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media, an array of pressure sensor actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media;

a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and

an array of pressure sensors positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the array of pressure sensors, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media, such predetermined combinations of pressure sensors being actuable by the array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the array of pressure sensors generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media of the printing cartridge.

27. A printing device as claimed in claim 26, in which the array of pressure sensors is in the form of a micro electro-mechanical system.

28. A printing device as claimed in claim 27, in which the array of pressure sensors is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique.

29. A printing device as claimed in claim 27, in which each pressure sensor is configured to be actuable by a projection defining one of the pressure sensor actuators bearing against the pressure sensor.

30. A printing device as claimed in claim 27, in which the pressure sensors are in the form of capacitive pressure sensors.

31. A printing device as claimed in claim 27, in which the pressure sensors are in the form of piezoresistive pressure sensors.

32. A printing device that comprises

a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, media colorant and media supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and media colorant, an array of pressure sensor actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant and the media;

a processor positioned in the body to control operation of media colorant and media feed mechanisms and a printing mechanism; and

an array of pressure sensors positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant and the media, such predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array being actuable by the array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the array of pressure sensors generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant and the media of the printing cartridge.

33. A printing device as claimed in claim 32, in which the array of pressure sensors is in the form of a micro electro-mechanical system.

34. A printing device as claimed in claim 33, in which the array of pressure sensors is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique.

35. A printing device as claimed in claim 33, in which each pressure sensor is configured to be actuable by a projection defining one of the pressure sensor actuators bearing against the pressure sensor.

36. A printing device as claimed in claim 33, in which each pressure sensor is in the form of a capacitive pressure sensor.

37. A printing device as claimed in claim 33, in which each pressure sensor is in the form of a piezoresistive pressure sensor.