System and method using ink usage adjustment values

• US 8,870,318 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Rice, Huston W., Novak, David B., Woods, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): DO, AN H
• Application Number:
  US13/697,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20130057606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,631 Days
• Field of Search: 347/7, 347 84- 86
• US Class Current: 347/7
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure

Abstract

A method for tuning ink usage includes storing an ink usage adjustment value in a memory of an ink cartridge; and with a printing system utilizing the ink cartridge, adjusting an ink usage of the ink cartridge based on the ink usage adjustment value. An ink cartridge includes a memory for storing an ink usage adjustment value, the ink usage adjustment value based on ink usage properties of the cartridge. A printing system utilizing the ink cartridge adjusts an ink usage of the ink cartridge based on the ink usage adjustment value.

Claims

1. A method for tuning ink usage, the method comprising:

storing an ink usage adjustment value in a memory of an ink cartridge; and

with a printing system utilizing said ink cartridge, adjusting an ink usage of said ink cartridge based on said ink usage adjustment value;

in which said ink usage adjustment value is a percentage of a nominal ink usage value calculated using a predetermined ink cartridge design.

2. The method of claim 1, in which said ink usage adjustment value is based on ink usage properties of said ink cartridge, said ink usage properties determined by performing a test on said ink cartridge.

3. The method of claim 1, in which said ink usage adjustment value is determined based on physical properties of ink within said ink cartridge.

4. The method of claim 1, in which said ink usage is adjusted by an amount to cause said ink cartridge to reach a target ink usage.

5. The method of claims 1, in which adjusting said ink usage comprises adjusting an amount of nozzle firings during a print job.

6. The method of claims 1, further comprising changing said ink usage adjustment value to a new ink usage adjustment value at any time during usage of said ink cartridge.

7. An ink cartridge comprising:

a memory for storing an ink usage adjustment value, said ink usage adjustment value based on ink usage properties of said cartridge;

in which a printing system utilizing said ink cartridge adjusts an ink usage of said ink cartridge based on said ink usage adjustment value; and

in which to adjust said ink usage comprises adjusting a number of nozzle firings for a particular print job.

8. The ink cartridge of claim 7, in which said ink usage properties are determined by a test performed on said ink cartridge.

9. The ink cartridge of claims 7, in which said ink usage is adjusted by said printing system to cause said ink cartridge to reach a target ink usage.

10. The ink cartridge of claims 7, in which said ink usage adjustment value is a percentage of a nominal ink usage value.

11. The ink cartridge of claims 7, in which said ink usage adjustment value is selectively changed to a new ink usage adjustment value at any time during usage of said ink cartridge.

12. A printing system capable of tuning ink usage, the printing system comprising:

a control system comprising a processor and a memory;

at least one ink cartridge, said ink cartridge comprising;

a memory for storing an ink usage adjustment value, said ink usage adjustment value based on ink usage properties of said ink cartridge determined by a test performed on said ink cartridge prior to installation of the cartridge into the printing system;

in which said control system adjusts a usage of said at least one ink cartridge based on said ink usage adjustment value;

said ink usage adjustment value being a percentage of a nominal ink usage adjustment value calculated using a predetermined ink cartridge design.

13. The system of claim 12, in which said ink usage is adjusted by said control system to cause said ink cartridge to reach a target ink usage.