A printer/copier apparatus is adapted to receive a replacement ink cartridge that is employed during the printing/copying operation. The apparatus includes a receptacle with a first connector that is coupled to a processor which controls operation of the apparatus. The cartridge includes a second connector which mates with the first connector and a serial access memory that is connected to the second connector. Data transfers are enabled both from and to the memory to enable access and modification of data stored therein that is indicative of cartridge usage, calibration, and to parameters for controlling operation of the apparatus. The invention is applicable to replaceable apparatus used with laser and ink jet printers, copiers, etc.

Replaceable part with integral memory for usage, calibration and other data

An ink jet printer with intelligent components includes an ink jet cartridge and a roll of print media, each of which incorporate memory elements. Environmental sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors may also be provided. Data from the memory elements and environmental sensors is used to optimize printer operations, and to provide additional information to printer operators.

Intelligent printer components and printing system

A printer ink cartridge includes a rigid cartridge body containing ink, a plurality of ink orifices, a jet plate, a plurality of electrical conductors, a control and driver circuit and a memory storage element. The memory storage element is connected to the control and driver circuit to enable information to be retrieved and stored from the memory storage element. The memory storage element is capable of storing information regarding the printer ink cartridge and the ink stored within the cartridge selected, such as ink type, ink color, date of manufacture of the cartridge, data from a spectral analysis of the ink, initial amount of ink stored in the cartridge body, amount of ink delivered, and amount of ink remaining in the cartridge. The memory storage element can be an EEPROM or a flash memory. The control and driver circuit may also include a counter for counting the number of times the heating elements on the cartridge are energized. The approximate number of times the heating elements have been energized indicates the approximate number of drops of ink that have applied by the cartridge.

Printer ink cartridge with memory storage capacity

An inkjet printhead assembly includes a substrate having an ink feed slot formed therein including a first side and second side along a vertical length of the ink feed slot. A first column of drop generators is formed along the first side of the ink feed slot. A second column of drop generators is formed along the second side of the ink feed slot. Each drop generator includes a nozzle. A nozzle packing density for nozzles in the first and second columns of drop generators including the area of the ink feed slot is at least approximately 100 nozzles per square millimeter (mm 2 ).

Inkjet printhead assembly having very high nozzle packing density

A fluid ejection device includes groups of firing cells, sharing a common fire signal and a common address selection mechanism, each firing cell having a drop generator for ejecting fluid and a dynamic memory addressable by the common address selection mechanism. Circuitry interfaces with the firing cells to allow the capture of data during two consecutive select cycles, then firing of all cells during a third cycle.

Fluid ejection device

An integrated circuit for use in the printhead of an ink jet printer includes an array circuit for heating an ink reservoir to produce a pattern of ink jets, the array circuit including a plurality of resistor cells arranged into rows and columns. A corresponding number of row and column lines are coupled to the integrated circuit array for selecting and energizing the resistor cells according to the desired printing pattern. An identification circuit integrated into the same substrate as the array circuit includes one or more programmable paths, the programmable paths corresponding and coupled to each row line. The programmable paths each include the serial combination of a programmable fuse and an active device. The opposite end of the programmable paths are coupled together at a common node, which in turn is coupled to an output circuit for providing a single output signal in response to a polling of the row lines. The identification circuit can be programmed and polled without adversely affecting or energizing the array circuit.

Integrated circuit printhead for an ink jet printer including an integrated identification circuit

The interconnections (24, 26, 28) for transmitting print commands from a printer (12) to a printhead (14) are reduced by the use of on-printhead circuitry (16, 30). In a basic embodiment, the printhead driver circuitry (16) includes a matrix of drivers (31) controlled by gates, power and control interconnections. Interconnections are reduced by enabling rows and columns of drivers witn the power and control interconnections. A multiplexer (70) may also be added to further reduce control interconnections. In an advanced embodiment, the printhead driver circuitry (30) includes a register (40) for converting a serial stream of print enable signals from the printer (12) into format for applying such signals concurrently to switching devices (46) for one or more heater resistors (44). An address generator (34) on the printhead (14) generates address signals in response to an address generating signal from the printer (12). The printer (12) provides constant power to the printhead (14) so that energizing of the heater resistors (44) is a function of the address and print enable signals and not of the power. Variations on the basic and advanced embodiments are also shown and described.

Michael B Saunders

Papers

Integrated circuit printhead for an ink jet printer including an integrated identification circuit

Printhead with reduced connections to a printer