US20170008292A1 - Ink supplies and methods to prepare ink supplies - Google Patents

Ink supplies and methods to prepare ink supplies Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170008292A1
US20170008292A1 US15/113,335 US201415113335A US2017008292A1 US 20170008292 A1 US20170008292 A1 US 20170008292A1 US 201415113335 A US201415113335 A US 201415113335A US 2017008292 A1 US2017008292 A1 US 2017008292A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
priming
ape
acumen
printer
ink supply
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Abandoned
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US15/113,335
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English (en)
Inventor
Randal J. Morrison
Kuang-Jen Wang
Robert N. Stavig
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Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Assigned to HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. reassignment HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MORRISON, Randal J., STAVIG, Robert N., WANG, KUANG-JEN
Publication of US20170008292A1 publication Critical patent/US20170008292A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
    • G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
    • G06K15/1803—Receiving particular commands
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
    • G06K15/1801—Input data handling means
    • G06K15/1803—Receiving particular commands
    • G06K15/1806—Receiving job control commands
    • G06K15/1809—Receiving job control commands relating to the printing process

Definitions

  • Inkjet printing typically includes providing fluid ink to a print head.
  • the print head may be part of a cartridge containing the ink or may be separate from an ink supply. When the print head and ink supply are separate, the print head obtains ink via an ink line or tube.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example printer configured to print and perform priming procedures using an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a table illustrating example parameters stored in an acumen storage device associated with an ink supply in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIGS. 3-6 illustrate example scenarios of configuring a printer based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device associated with an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 is a table illustrating example scenarios for selecting a representative one of multiple acumen storage devices and/or sets of priming parameters for a print head.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to configure a printer based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device associated with an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to configure a printer based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device associated with an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to perform an out-of-box priming configuration of a printer based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device associated with an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to perform a priming configuration for a new ink supply installation of a printer based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device associated with an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions which may be executed to monitoring a priming watchdog and/or perform priming procedures.
  • FIG. 13 is an example system to prepare an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart representative of an example method to prepare an ink supply constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
  • priming procedure triggers e.g., events to which the printer responds by performing a priming procedure
  • firmware may not be modifiable after the printer has shipped.
  • example methods, printers, and ink supplies disclosed herein use acumen-based priming events (APE) to configure a printer to perform priming procedures.
  • Example ink supplies disclosed herein include an acumen storage device (also referred to as an acumen chip), which includes a non-volatile machine readable storage or memory device.
  • Example acumen storage devices store priming parameters (e.g., data) for the ink supply with which they are associated.
  • Acumen-based priming events or procedures refer to priming procedures that are initiated, triggered, and/or scheduled based on one or more parameters stored in an acumen storage device associated with an ink supply.
  • the print heads of the printer must be prepared to print.
  • air may be present in the ink lines that must be cleared for ink from respective ink supplies to be provided to the print heads.
  • the process of preparing print heads and/or ink supplies for printing is referred to as “priming,” or performing priming procedures.
  • priming include purging air from the ink lines to provide ink to the print heads and/or purging air from the print heads themselves.
  • example methods, printers, and ink supplies disclosed herein enable a printer to understand the priming procedures for any compatible ink supply by accessing the priming parameters stored in the acumen storage device of the ink supply.
  • Example ink supplies disclosed herein include an ink chamber to store ink, and a machine readable storage medium to store a priming parameter having a value. The value is to cause a printer to configure a priming procedure of the printer.
  • Example methods disclosed herein include filling an ink chamber of an ink supply with ink and storing a value for a priming parameter in a machine readable storage medium carried by the ink supply.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example printer 100 .
  • the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 generates hard images on a substrate 102 by jetting ink onto the substrate in accordance with image data.
  • the example printer 100 includes one or more print head(s) 104 K, 104 C to jet one or more colors of ink onto the substrate 102 .
  • Ink supplies 106 K, 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y provide the ink to the print heads 104 via corresponding ink lines 107 K, 107 C, 107 M, 107 Y (e.g., tubes).
  • the example ink supplies 106 K, 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y of FIG. 1 each include a respective ink tank 108 K, 108 C, 108 M, 108 Y (or ink chamber) and a respective acumen storage device 110 K, 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the print heads 104 K, 104 C are referred to generically herein using reference numeral 104 .
  • the ink supplies 106 K, 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y are referred to generically herein using reference numeral 106 .
  • the ink tanks 108 K, 108 C, 108 M, 108 Y are referred to generically herein using reference numeral 108 .
  • the acumen storage devices 110 K, 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y are referred to generically herein using reference numeral 110 .
  • a print head 104 an ink supply 106 , an ink tank 108 , or an acumen storage device 110
  • the description may be applied to any of the print head(s) 104 K, 104 C, the ink supplies 106 K, 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y, the ink tanks 108 K, 108 C, 108 M, 108 Y, or the acumen storage devices 110 K, 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y, respectively.
  • the ink tank 108 holds the ink (e.g., pigment and carrier fluid, dye and carrier fluid, or other ink formulation) used by the printer 100 to print on the substrate 102 .
  • Each ink tank 108 carries an acumen storage device 110 (e.g., in its housing).
  • the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 includes a primer 112 to perform one or more priming functions or procedures on the print head(s) 104 , the ink supplies 106 , and/or the ink lines 107 .
  • the primer 112 may perform a first priming procedure to prepare the printer 100 to be used, such as converting the printer 100 from a shipping state (e.g., no ink in the printer 100 ) to a printing state (e.g., the print head(s) 104 have access to ink for immediate use to print).
  • the primer 112 may perform different types of priming procedures, which may be appropriate for different situations or events occurring at the printer 100 .
  • Example primers and priming procedures that may be implemented by the primer 112 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,343 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,992.
  • Different types of priming procedures are discussed herein, including so-called A-type priming procedures and B-type priming procedures.
  • a “boss” priming procedure described herein includes performing an A-type priming procedure and a B-type priming procedure. For a boss priming procedure to be completed for an ink supply 106 , at least one A-type priming procedure and at least one B-type priming procedure must be performed on the print head 104 coupled to that ink supply 106 .
  • the timing of the priming functions performed by the primer 112 is controlled by a priming controller 114 .
  • the example priming controller 114 instructs the primer 112 to perform priming procedure(s) based on printer parameters stored in one or more storage devices 116 , which are described in more detail below.
  • the example priming controller 114 also configures the printer parameters to instruct the primer 112 to perform (or not perform) subsequent priming procedure(s) during the service life of the printer and/or during the service life of the ink supplies 106 .
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 obtains values of priming parameters from the acumen storage devices 110 via an ink supply reader 118 .
  • the example ink supply reader 118 of FIG. 1 accesses the acumen storage devices 110 of the ink supplies 106 to read or access values of priming parameters stored on the acumen storage devices 110 . Because different ones of the ink supplies 106 (e.g., ink supplies for different colors) may have different chemical formulations, the priming procedures associated with each of the ink supplies 106 may also be different.
  • certain formulations of ink may require periodic priming of the associated print head(s) 104 to maintain printing performance of the printer 100 (e.g., due to settling of the pigment or dye in the ink supply 106 , gas build-up in the tank 108 , etc.).
  • Such priming procedure requirements may be known from research performed while developing (or engineering) the ink or the ink supply.
  • the example acumen storage devices 110 store priming parameters having values that may be consulted by the ink supply reader 118 and/or the priming controller 114 to configure the printer 100 for maintenance procedures.
  • FIG. 2 is a table 200 illustrating example parameters 202 - 226 stored in one of the example acumen storage devices 110 of FIG. 1 associated with an ink supply 106 .
  • the ink supply 106 associated with the acumen may be associated with an ink color such as black (K), cyan (C), magneta (M), and/or yellow (Y).
  • K black
  • C cyan
  • M magneta
  • Y yellow
  • Each of the example acumen storage devices 110 of FIG. 1 stores a set (or subset) of the parameters 202 - 226 with respective values (e.g., values within a permissible range and within the number of bits allotted to the parameter 202 - 226 ).
  • the values of the example parameters 202 - 226 in the acumen storage device 110 may be read and/or written to by the ink supply reader 118 .
  • Example initial values 228 , 230 stored on the acumen storage device 110 are shown for black (values 228 ) and color (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, etc.) (values 230 ).
  • the example parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 are described below with reference to an example one of the acumen storage devices 110 of FIG. 1 that is associated with an example one of the print heads 104 of FIG. 1 .
  • one of the acumen storage devices 110 is associated with an ink supply 106 that provides black ink to a black ink print head 104
  • another of the ink supplies 106 C that provides cyan ink to a cyan print head 104 C (or cyan, magenta, and yellow print head 104 ) has another acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example parameter ape_boss_only 202 of FIG. 2 is a parameter used by the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 to determine whether to configure the printer 100 to permit acumen-based priming procedures. For example, while the printer 100 performs one or more initial priming procedures (e.g., at the time of an initial or out-of-box set up, prior to any printing by the printer 100 ), the need for and/or desirability of subsequent priming procedures may be dependent on the ink supplies 106 (e.g., the chemical formulations of the ink).
  • the ink supplies 106 e.g., the chemical formulations of the ink.
  • the value of the example parameter ape_boss_only 202 may be set to 0 at the acumen storage device 110 of an ink supply 106 to cause the priming controller 114 to configure the printer 100 to perform subsequent acumen-based priming procedures. Conversely, the value of the parameter ape_boss_only 202 may be set to ‘1’ or ‘true’ at the acumen storage device 110 to cause the priming controller 114 to configure the printer 100 not to perform subsequent priming procedures on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the specific configuration of the printer 100 when the parameter ape_boss_only 202 is set to ‘0’ or ‘false’ is based on others of the parameters as described below.
  • the value of the example parameter ape_disable 204 of FIG. 2 causes the priming controller 114 to configure the printer 100 based on the parameters 202 , 206 - 226 of FIG. 2 or to use default configuration parameters of the printer 100 .
  • the priming controller 114 uses the default printer settings to configure subsequent priming procedures for the print head(s) 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example priming controller 114 configures the printer 100 to perform (or not perform) subsequent priming procedures based on values of one or more of the parameters 202 , 206 - 226 .
  • the example priming controller 114 may load and/or configure the printer 100 based on counts of priming procedures set in the acumen storage device 110 using values of example parameters 206 - 212 .
  • the example parameter ape_total_prime_count_limit_A_and_B 206 sets a number of acumen-based priming procedures that may be performed by the primer 112 on the print head(s) 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the parameter ape_total_prime_count_limit_A_and_B 206 represents the limit of total priming procedures including A-type and B-type priming procedures.
  • the example parameter ape_count_A 208 sets a number of A-type priming procedures that are permitted to be performed on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example parameter ape_count_B 210 sets a number of B-type priming procedures that are permitted to be performed on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example parameters ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 count down from an initial value.
  • the parameter ape_total_count 212 counts a total number of acumen-based A-type and B-type priming procedures that have been performed on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example parameter ape_total_count 212 is a count, rather than a limit (e.g., like the parameter ape_total_prime_count_limit_A_and_B 206 ).
  • the values for the example parameters 208 , 210 , and 212 may be set or updated by the example ink supply reader 118 of FIG. 1 with a current value when, for example, an A-type or B-type priming procedure is performed.
  • the primer 112 of the illustrated example performs an A-type priming procedure on the print head 104 K associated with the black ink supply 106 K
  • the ink supply reader 118 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 and/or increments the value of the parameter ape_total_count 212 stored in the acumen storage device 110 associated with the black ink supply 106 .
  • the ink supply reader 118 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 and/or increments the value of the parameter ape_total_count 212 stored in the acumen storage device 110 associated with the cyan ink supply 106 .
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 configures one or more printer parameters to perform acumen-based priming procedures based on triggers specified in the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • triggers may include time-based and/or usage-based triggers.
  • the example parameters ape_time_trigger_A 214 and ape_time_trigger_B 216 set respective time-based triggers.
  • the priming controller 114 instructs (or schedules) the primer 112 to perform an A-type priming procedure on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the priming controller 114 instructs (or schedules) the primer 112 to perform a B-type priming procedure on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the example priming controller 114 may implement the time-based triggers by setting a watchdog to flag the expiration of the time period(s) defined by the parameters ape_time_trigger_A 214 and/or ape_time_trigger_B 216 .
  • the values of the example parameters ape_time_trigger_A 214 and/or ape_time_trigger_B 216 are in units of hours, but may be in any other unit of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, to reduce a number of bits required to be stored in the acumen storage device 110 to express a time-based trigger, the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 applies respective multipliers to the value(s) stored in the example parameters ape_time_trigger_A 214 and/or ape_time_trigger_B 216 . For example, the example priming controller 114 of FIG.
  • the example parameters ape_usage_trigger_A 218 and ape_usage_trigger_B 220 define usage trigger values. For example, when the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 has used an amount of ink from the corresponding ink supply 106 equal to or greater than an amount defined by the parameter ape_usage_trigger_A 218 , the priming controller 114 instructs (or schedules) the primer 112 to perform an A-type priming procedure on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the priming controller 114 instructs (or schedules) the primer 112 to perform a B-type priming procedure on the print head 104 associated with the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the values of the example parameters ape_usage_trigger_A 218 and ape_usage_trigger_B 220 are defined in units of volume (e.g., units of 100 milligrams (mg)).
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 applies respective multipliers to the value(s) stored in the example parameters ape_usage_trigger_A 218 and ape_usage_trigger_B 220 to reduce a number of bits required to be stored in the acumen storage device 110 to express a usage-based trigger.
  • the priming controller 114 of the illustrated example instructs a watchdog to flag a measured ink usage by the print heads 104 that is greater than or equal to the scaled value(s) set in the parameters ape_usage_trigger_A 218 and ape_usage_trigger_B 220 .
  • any or all of the example parameters 214 - 220 may be set to 0 to disable the associated trigger (e.g., watchdog) for the corresponding type of priming procedure.
  • any or all of the watchdogs set by the priming controller 114 may be reset by one or more printing events.
  • the example acumen storage device 110 of FIG. 1 includes parameters to control priming procedures based on the age of the ink supply 106 .
  • the example parameters ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 and ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 are parameters used by the priming controller 114 to configure the printer 100 to perform (or not perform) pre-job priming procedures (e.g., priming procedures to be performed immediately before a printing task or job).
  • pre-job priming procedures e.g., priming procedures to be performed immediately before a printing task or job.
  • the parameter ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 is used by the priming controller 114 when the associated ink supply is younger (e.g., has an age less than a threshold) and the parameter ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 is used by the priming controller 114 when the associated ink supply is older (e.g., has an age greater than a threshold).
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 uses the parameter ape_supply_age_switch 226 to determine the age threshold value at which the priming controller 114 stops using the parameter ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 and begins using the parameter ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 to configure the printer 100 to perform (or not perform) pre-job priming procedures. Whether using ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 or ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 to perform the configuration, the example priming controller 114 of FIG.
  • pre-job priming procedures e.g., pre-job priming procedures requested by the printer 100 firmware
  • the value of the parameter ape_total_count 212 associated with (e.g., stored in) the acumen storage device 110 is less than or equal to the value of the appropriate one of the parameters ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 or ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 .
  • the priming controller 114 of the illustrated example configures the printer 100 not to perform pre-job priming procedures (e.g., to ignore requests for pre-job priming procedures, to convert or reschedule requested pre-job priming procedures to another type of priming procedure) when the value of the parameter ape_total_count 212 associated with (e.g., stored in) the acumen storage device 110 is greater than the value of the appropriate one of the parameters ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 or ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 .
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 accesses values of one or more of the priming parameters stored in the acumen storage devices 110 (e.g., via the ink supply reader 118 ) and configures the printer 100 to perform (or not perform) priming procedures subsequent to the completion of an initial priming procedure.
  • the priming controller 114 maintains, sets, and/or updates appropriate printer parameters stored in a storage device 116 .
  • the priming controller 114 stores and/or updates parameters for a number of remaining A-type priming procedures for a corresponding ink supply 106 (e.g., ape_primes_remaining_A, which is a local copy of the ape_count_A parameter 208 stored in the acumen storage devices 110 ), a number of remaining B-type priming procedures for the corresponding ink supply 106 (e.g., ape_primes_remaining_B, which is a local copy of the ape_count_B parameter 210 stored in the acumen storage devices 110 ), a total number of acumen-based priming procedures performed for the corresponding ink supply 106 (e.g., ape_total_count, which is a local copy of the ape_total_count parameter 212 stored in the acumen storage devices 110 ), an initial priming completion indicator for the corresponding ink supply 106 (e.g., boss_prime_completed), and an acumen-based priming procedures
  • the cyan, magenta, and yellow print head(s) 104 may be configured to be primed simultaneously in the printer 100 .
  • the printer 100 selects any one of the acumen storage devices 110 associated with any one of the cyan, magenta, or yellow ink supplies 106 to control the values of the parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, and/or ape_total_count and, thus, to control the configuration of the printer parameters for priming the cyan, magenta, and/or yellow print head 104 C.
  • the selection of one of the acumen storage devices 110 may be performed by the priming controller 114 based on respective values of the parameters 202 - 226 stored in the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • the values of the ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, and/or ape_total_count parameters are local copies from the selected one of the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, and 106 Y all provide ink to a same print head 104 C (or set of print heads).
  • the example print head(s) 104 C undergo a priming procedure that affects the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y and/or the lines 107 C, 107 M, 107 Y simultaneously, regardless of which of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y causes an acumen-based priming procedure.
  • the example priming controller 114 selects one of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y to be representative of the print head 104 C for the purposes of configuring the printer 100 to perform priming procedures on the print head 104 C.
  • the priming controller 114 determines the representative acumen storage device 110 from multiple acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y by: a) selecting one of the acumen storage devices 110 that is the only one of the possible acumen storage devices 110 that has a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ and/or b) when multiple acumen storage devices 110 that have a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ selecting the one of the acumen storage devices 110 that has a highest sum of the values for priming parameters ape_count_A+ape_count_B.
  • the boss_prime_completed indicates whether an initial priming procedure has been completed by the primer 112 for the printer 100 .
  • the initial priming procedure typically occurs after the printer 100 is first set up and before the printer 100 performs any printing jobs.
  • the printer 100 may be configured (e.g., when the printer 100 is manufactured and/or programmed with software and/or firmware) with the boss_prime_completed parameter having a value of ‘0’ or ‘false,’ indicating that the initial priming procedure has not been completed.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 sets the value of the boss_prime_completed parameter to ‘1’ or ‘true’ when the primer 112 completes the initial priming procedure.
  • the initial priming procedure is considered to be completed (e.g., the boss_prime_completed parameter remains at a value of ‘1’ or ‘true’) even when one or more of the ink supplies 106 have been changed.
  • the example priming controller 114 may set the boss_prime_completed parameter to ‘0’ or ‘false’ to indicate that the initial priming procedure has not been completed for the new (e.g., replacement) print heads 104 .
  • the ape_primes_completed parameter may be set to ‘0’ or ‘false’ when any acumen-based priming procedures have yet to be performed. Conversely, when all acumen-based priming procedures have been performed (e.g., the ape_primes_remaining_A and ape_primes_remaining_B are equal to 0), the ape_primes_completed parameter is set to ‘1’ or ‘true.’ Unlike the example boss_prime_complete parameter, the example ape_primes_completed may be reset to ‘0’ or ‘false’ when a change to the printer 100 (e.g., a new ink supply is provided) results in one or more acumens storage devices 110 having acumen-based priming procedures to be performed.
  • a change to the printer 100 e.g., a new ink supply is provided
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 determines that additional acumen-based priming procedures may be performed and changes the ape_primes_completed parameter to ‘0’ or ‘false.’
  • the priming controller 114 of the illustrated example includes hardware.
  • the priming controller 114 can be implemented by one or more integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer, and/or software and/or firmware executing on the hardware.
  • the priming controller 114 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 120 (e.g., a cache).
  • the priming controller 114 of the illustrated example is in communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 122 and a non-volatile memory 124 via a bus 126 .
  • the volatile memory 122 may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device.
  • the non-volatile memory 124 may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 122 , 124 is controlled by a memory controller.
  • the printer 100 of the illustrated example also includes an interface circuit 128 .
  • the interface circuit 128 may be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.
  • one or more input devices 130 are connected to the interface circuit 128 .
  • the input device(s) 130 permit(s) a user to enter data and commands into the priming controller 114 .
  • the input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, an image scanner, a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, and/or isopoint.
  • One or more output devices 132 are also connected to the interface circuit 128 of the illustrated example.
  • the output devices 132 can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen), a tactile output device, and/or speakers.
  • the interface circuit 128 of the illustrated example thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor.
  • the interface circuit 128 of the illustrated example also includes a communication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a modem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network 134 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).
  • a network 134 e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.
  • the printer 100 of the illustrated example also includes one or more storage devices 116 for storing software and/or data.
  • storage devices 116 include disk drives, hard drive disks, and/or solid state drives.
  • the coded instructions 136 of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 , and/or 12 may be stored in the storage device 116 , in the volatile memory 122 , in the non-volatile memory 124 , and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 stores data, such as priming parameters, printing parameters, and priming trigger information in storage device(s) 116 , the local memory 120 , and/or the main memory 122 , 124 .
  • While an example manner of implementing the printer 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , one or more of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in FIG. 1 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the example acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y, 110 K, the example primer 112 , the example priming controller 114 , the example ink supply reader 118 and/or, more generally, the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware.
  • any of the example ink supply reader 118 and/or, more generally, the example printer 100 could be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • PLD programmable logic device
  • FPLD field programmable logic device
  • the example printer 100 is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.
  • the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 1 , and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.
  • FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 Flowcharts representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the printer 100 of FIG. 1 are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 .
  • the machine readable instructions comprise program(s) for execution by a processor such as the priming controller 114 shown in the example printer 100 discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 .
  • the program(s) may be embodied in software stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the priming controller 114 , but the entire program(s) and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the priming controller 114 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware.
  • a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the priming controller 114 , but the entire program(s) and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the priming controller 114 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware.
  • the example programs are described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 , and/or 12 , many other methods of implementing the example
  • FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 , and/or 12 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information).
  • coded instructions e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions
  • a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods
  • tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and transmission media.
  • tangible computer readable storage medium and “tangible machine readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of FIGS.
  • Non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information).
  • a non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and transmission media.
  • FIGS. 3-6 illustrate example sets of printer parameters during different scenarios of configuring a printer (e.g., the printer 100 of FIG. 1 ) based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device (e.g., the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y) associated with an ink supply (e.g., the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y) of the printer 100 .
  • a storage device e.g., the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y
  • an ink supply e.g., the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y
  • FIGS. 3-6 refer to the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y associated with the print head 104 C. Because the example ink supply 106 K is associated with a separate print head 104 K that is not necessarily primed at a same time as the print head 104 C (e.g., the priming controller 114 performs priming procedures and/or printer configuration associated with the print head 104 K independently from priming procedures and printer configuration associated with the print head 104 C), the example priming controller 114 does not use the parameters 202 - 226 stored in the acumen storage device 110 K. However, any or all of the examples of FIGS. 3-6 may also be applied to combinations of ink supplies 106 that include the ink supply 106 K.
  • the printer 100 of FIG. 1 has completed an initial priming procedure (e.g., via the priming controller 114 instructing the primer 112 to perform the initial priming procedure).
  • the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 parameters and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, and/or ape_total_count have values shown in part 302 of FIG. 3 .
  • each of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y have an ape_count_A 208 parameter equal to 1, an ape_count_B 210 parameter equal to 1, and an ape_total_count 212 parameter equal to 0.
  • the priming controller 114 has selected one of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y to be representative of the priming parameters for the print head 104 C.
  • ape_count_A 208 ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 are the same for the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y, so the value of local parameter ape_primes_remaining_A is equal to 1, the value of ape_primes_remaining_B is equal to 1, and the value of ape_total_count is equal to 0.
  • the example primer 112 performs an A-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with one or more of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y). Between the initial time and the first A-type priming procedure, a period of time may elapse and/or the print head 104 C may generate a number of print impressions.
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 for each of the associated acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y (e.g., to a value of 0).
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the value of ape_primes_remaining_A is also decremented to 0.
  • the updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, and/or ape_total_count have values shown in part 304 of FIG. 3 .
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 also determines a status of the acumen-based priming procedures (e.g., ape_primes_completed) to be ‘0’ (or ‘false’) because there are still acumen-based priming procedures that may be requested (e.g., one B-type acumen-based priming procedure) according to the priming parameters obtained from the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the example priming controller 114 of the illustrated example determines a status of the initial priming procedure (e.g., boss_primes_complete) to be ‘1’ (or ‘true) because the initial priming procedure was performed on the print head 104 C associated with the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the values of the example printer parameters ape_primes_completed and boss_primes_complete are also included in part 304 of FIG. 3 .
  • the example primer 112 performs a B-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with one or more of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y). Between the A-type priming procedure and the B-type priming procedure, a period of time may elapse and/or the print head 104 C may generate a number of print impressions.
  • the B-type priming procedure may occur immediately following the A-type priming procedure if, for example, the priming controller 114 and/or the primer 112 determine that a different and/or more aggressive priming procedure is needed following completion of the A-type priming procedure, or if the initial priming procedure is to be completed immediately.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 in each of the associated acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y (e.g., to a value of 0 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the value of ape_primes_remaining_B is also decremented to 0.
  • the example priming controller 114 of this example determines the value of ape_primes_completed to be ‘1’ (or ‘true’).
  • the updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 306 of FIG. 3 .
  • the example ink supply 106 M that provides magenta (M)-colored ink to the print head 104 C is replaced with a new ink supply 106 M having a new acumen storage device 110 M.
  • the ink supply 106 M may be replaced (e.g., resulting in a new acumen storage device 110 M being installed in the printer 100 ) rather than refilled (e.g., resulting in the previous acumen storage device 110 M remaining in the printer 100 ) if, for example, an ink having a different chemical formulation is installed.
  • Replacing the acumen storage device 110 does not change the values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , or ape_total_count 212 for the other acumen storage devices 110 C and 110 Y that have not been replaced.
  • the updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 308 of FIG. 3 .
  • the example printer 100 is configured to not perform acumen-based priming procedures after the ink supply 106 M is replaced.
  • FIG. 4 is another example scenario in which the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured to perform (or not perform) priming procedures.
  • the printer 100 performs an initial priming procedure, an A-type priming procedure, and a B-type priming procedure as described above with reference to parts 302 - 306 of FIG. 3 .
  • the resulting updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in respective parts 302 , 304 , and 306 of FIG. 4 , and the descriptions of these parts are not repeated herein.
  • the example ink supply 106 M that provides magenta (M)-colored ink to the print head 104 C is replaced with a new ink supply 106 M which, thus, has a new acumen storage device 110 M.
  • the example priming controller 114 determines the value of the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to be ‘0’ or ‘false.’ Additionally, the priming controller 114 determines the value of the printer parameter ape_total_count to be ‘0’ because the acumen storage device 110 M is determined to be representative of the print head 104 C (e.g., based on the value of the ape_boss_only 202 parameter of the acumen storage device 110 M being ‘false,’ and/or based on the sums of the values of the ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 parameters for the acumen
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 402 of FIG. 4 .
  • the example primer 112 After replacement of the ink supply 106 M, the example primer 112 performs a second A-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with one or more of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y).
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 for the associated acumen storage device 110 M (e.g., to a value of 0).
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the value of ape_primes_remaining_A is also decremented to 0.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 also determines a status of the acumen-based priming procedures (e.g., ape_primes_completed) to be ‘0’ (or ‘false’) because there are still acumen-based priming procedures that may be requested (e.g., one B-type acumen-based priming procedure) according to the priming parameters obtained from the acumen storage device 110 M.
  • a status of the acumen-based priming procedures e.g., ape_primes_completed
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 404 of FIG. 4 .
  • the example primer 112 performs a second B-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with the ink supply 106 M).
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 for the associated acumen storage device 110 M (e.g., to a value of 0 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 determines the value of ape_primes_completed to be ‘1’ (or ‘true’).
  • the updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 406 of FIG. 4 .
  • the example printer 100 is configured to not perform acumen-based priming procedures.
  • FIG. 5 is another example scenario 500 in which the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured to perform (or not perform) priming procedures.
  • the example acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, and 110 Y each have a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘true.’
  • the example printer 100 performs an initial priming procedure and an A-type priming procedure as described above with reference to parts 302 - 304 of FIG. 3 .
  • a boss priming procedure is not yet complete.
  • Example resulting updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in respective parts 302 , 304 of FIG. 5 , and the descriptions of these parts are not repeated herein.
  • the example ink supply 106 M that provides magenta (M)-colored ink to the print head 104 C is replaced with a new ink supply 106 M having a new acumen storage device 110 M.
  • the acumen storage device 110 M in the example of FIG. 5 has an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value of ‘true.’
  • the example new acumen storage device 110 M also includes priming parameter values of 1 for ape_count_A 208 , 1for ape_count_B 210 , and 0 for ape_total_count 212 .
  • ape_primes_completed determines the value of ape_primes_completed to be ‘0’ because at least one acumen storage device 110 has a value of at least 1 for ape_count_A 208 and/or ape_count_B 210 . Because the boss priming procedure has not yet been completed (e.g., the boss_prime_complete printer parameter has a value of ‘0’), acumen-based priming procedures may still be performed.
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 502 of FIG. 5 .
  • the example primer 112 of FIG. 1 After replacement of the ink supply 106 M, the example primer 112 of FIG. 1 performs a B-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with one or more of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y).
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 for the associated acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y (e.g., to respective values of 0).
  • the example priming controller 114 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y. As a result, the value of ape_primes_remaining_B is also decremented to 0.
  • the example priming controller 114 of this example determines the printer parameter boss_prime_complete to be ‘1.’ While there are still acumen-based priming procedures that may be requested (e.g., one A-type acumen-based priming procedure) according to the priming parameters obtained from the acumen storage device 110 M, the printer parameter ape_primes_completed is not set to ‘0.’ Instead, the example priming controller 114 of FIG.
  • ape_primes_completed determines the status of the acumen-based priming procedures (e.g., ape_primes_completed) to be ‘1’ (or ‘true) because the acumen storage device 110 M has an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value of ‘true’ and the printer parameter boss_prime_complete is equal to ‘1,’ which overrides any counts left in the acumen-based priming procedure parameters ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 .
  • the acumen-based priming procedures e.g., ape_primes_completed
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 504 of FIG. 5 .
  • the example printer 100 is configured to not perform acumen-based priming procedures. However, the printer 100 of the illustrated example may be subsequently configured (e.g., in response to a change in an ink supply 106 ) to perform acumen-based priming procedures.
  • FIG. 6 is another example scenario 600 in which the example printer 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured to perform (or not perform) priming procedures.
  • each of the example acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, and 110 Y has a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘true.’
  • the example printer 100 performs an initial priming procedure and an A-type priming procedure as described above with reference to parts 302 - 304 of FIG. 3 .
  • an initial priming procedure is not yet complete.
  • the example ink supply 106 M that provides magenta (M)-colored ink to the print head 104 C is replaced with a new ink supply 106 M having a new acumen storage device 110 M as described above with reference to FIG. 5 .
  • Example resulting updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in respective parts 302 , 304 , and 502 of FIG. 6 , and the descriptions of these parts are not repeated herein.
  • the replacement acumen storage device 110 M has an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value of ‘false.’
  • the example primer 112 After performing the ink supply replacement, the example primer 112 performs a B-type acumen-based priming procedure on the print head 104 C (e.g., in response to a request and/or a trigger associated with one or more of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y).
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 for the associated acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y (e.g., to respective values of 0).
  • the example priming controller 114 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_B 210 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y. As a result, the value of ape_primes_remaining_B is also decremented to 0.
  • the acumen storage device 110 M is used as the representative acumen storage device.
  • the values of the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, and ape_total_count match the respective values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 .
  • the priming controller 114 determines the value of the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to be ‘0’ or ‘false,’ because the acumen storage device 110 M may request another acumen-based priming procedure to be performed.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 further determines the value of the boss_primes_complete parameter to be ‘0’ or ‘false’ because both the B-type priming procedure has not been performed for the ink supply 106 M (though both the A-type and the B-type priming procedures have been performed in association with the ink supplies 106 C and 106 Y).
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 602 of FIG. 6 .
  • the example primer 112 of FIG. 1 performs a second A-type priming procedure on the print head 104 C.
  • the second A-type priming procedure is an acumen-based priming procedure that may be requested, for example, based on a watchdog associated with the ink supply 106 M. Because the value of the ape_boss_only parameter 202 of the replacement acumen storage device 110 M is ‘false,’ the configuration of the printer 100 permits the second A-type priming procedure to be performed.
  • the example priming controller 114 decrements the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 for the associated acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y (e.g., to respective values of 0). However, the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 for the associated acumen storage devices 110 C and 110 Y were previously set to 0 and may remain at 0. The priming controller 114 of the illustrated example also increments the values of the ape_total_count 212 parameter for each of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y, because the priming procedure was performed on the print head 104 C associated with all of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the example priming controller 114 updates the value of the parameter ape_count_A 208 at the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y.
  • the priming controller 114 also decrements the value of ape_primes_remaining_A to 0.
  • the example priming controller 114 sets the value of ape_primes_completed to ‘1’ or ‘true.’
  • Example updated values of the priming parameters ape_count_A 208 , ape_count_B 210 , and ape_total_count 212 and the printer parameters ape_primes_remaining_A, ape_primes_remaining_B, ape_total_count, ape_primes_completed, and boss_primes_complete are shown in part 604 of FIG. 6 .
  • the example printer 100 is configured to not perform acumen-based priming procedures.
  • FIG. 7 is a table 700 illustrating example scenarios for selecting a representative acumen storage device (e.g., from the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y) and/or set of priming parameters (e.g., priming parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 ) for a print head (e.g., the print head 104 C associated with the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y).
  • a representative acumen storage device e.g., from the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y
  • priming parameters e.g., priming parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2
  • the example priming controller 114 determines the representative acumen storage device 110 from multiple acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y by: a) selecting one of the acumen storage devices 110 that is the only one of the possible acumen storage devices 110 that has a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ and/or b) when multiple acumen storage devices 110 that have a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ selecting the one of the acumen storage devices 110 that has a highest sum of the values for priming parameters ape_count_A +ape_count_B.
  • the printer 100 of FIG. 1 Prior to a first time, the printer 100 of FIG. 1 has completed the boss priming procedure.
  • a set of ink supplies 106 C (C), 106 M (M), 106 Y (Y), 106 K (K) are installed in the printer 100 .
  • the values of respective ape_boss_only 202 priming parameters and the values of the respective ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 associated with the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, 106 Y, 106 K, as well as the sum of these parameters, are shown in the table 702 .
  • the example priming controller 114 selects the acumen storage device 110 Y to be the representative acumen storage device 110 because it is the only acumen storage device to have a value of ‘false’ for its ape_boss_only 202 priming parameter.
  • the ink supply 106 C is replaced with a first replacement ink supply 106 C having a first replacement acumen storage device 110 C.
  • the example priming controller 114 selects the acumen storage device 110 C to be the representative acumen storage device 110 because, while both the acumen storage devices 110 C and 110 Y have a value of ‘false’ for their respective ape_boss_only 202 priming parameters, the example acumen storage device 110 C has a higher sum of values of ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 than the acumen storage device 110 Y.
  • the ink supply 106 M is replaced with a second replacement ink supply 106 M having a first replacement acumen storage device 110 M.
  • the example priming controller 114 continues to select the acumen storage device 110 C to be the representative acumen storage device 110 because, while the acumen storage device 110 M has a higher sum of values of ape_count_A 208 and ape_count_B 210 than either of the acumen storage devices 110 C and 110 Y, the second replacement acumen storage device 110 M has a value of ‘true’ for its ape_boss_only 202 , which prevents the example priming controller 114 from selecting it.
  • the example priming controller 114 selects the acumen storage device 110 C over the acumen storage device 110 Y for the reasons described above with reference to table 704 .
  • the ink supply 106 C is again replaced with a third replacement ink supply 106 C having a third replacement acumen storage device 110 C.
  • the third replacement acumen storage device 110 C has a value of ‘true’ for its ape_boss_only 202 priming parameter.
  • the example priming controller 114 selects the acumen storage device 110 Y to be the representative acumen storage device 110 because it is again the only acumen storage device to have a value of ‘false’ for its ape_boss_only 202 priming parameter.
  • the black ink acumen storage device 110 K is also selected, because the black ink supply 106 K is connected to a different print head 104 K than the print head 104 C.
  • the print head 104 K may undergo priming procedures separately from the print head 104 C.
  • the ink supplies 106 Y and 106 K are replaced with respective replacement ink supplies 106 Y and 106 K having respective acumen storage devices 110 Y and 110 K.
  • Both of the replacement acumen storage devices 110 C 110 Y and 110 K have a value of ‘true’ for their respective ape_boss_only 202 priming parameters.
  • all of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y and 110 K have values of ‘true’ for their respective ape_boss_only 202 priming parameters.
  • the example priming controller 114 selects the acumen storage devices 110 Y and 110 K because the acumen storage devices 110 Y and 110 K were the previously-selected storage devices.
  • acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y and 110 K have values of ‘true’ for their respective ape_boss_only 202 priming parameters, none of the acumen storage devices 110 C, 110 M, 110 Y and 110 K have priming parameters to justify selecting a different representative acumen storage device 110 .
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions 800 which may be executed to configure a printer (e.g., the printer 100 of FIG. 1 ) based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device (e.g., the acumen storage devices 110 ) associated with an ink supply (e.g., the ink supplies 106 ).
  • the example instructions 900 may be performed by the priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 .
  • the example priming controller 114 accesses a priming parameter in a storage device associated with an ink supply coupled to a printer (block 804 ).
  • the priming controller 114 may access a priming parameter 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 stored in an acumen storage device 110 of FIG. 1 via the ink supply reader 118 .
  • the example primer 112 performs a first priming procedure on a print head associated with the ink supply (block 804 ).
  • the priming controller 114 may instruct the primer 112 to perform the first priming procedure, such as an A-type or B-type priming procedure (or any other priming procedure), on one or more of the print head(s) 104 of FIG. 1 .
  • the example priming controller 114 configures a subsequent priming procedure of the printer 100 based on the priming parameter (block 806 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may configure the printer 100 to perform a subsequent priming procedure in response to a trigger based on the first priming parameter (e.g., if an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value is set to ‘false’). In some other examples, the priming controller 114 may configure the printer 100 to not perform subsequent priming procedures on one or more print heads 104 based on the first priming parameter (e.g., if an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value is set to ‘true’). The example instructions 800 then end.
  • the priming controller 114 may configure the printer 100 to perform a subsequent priming procedure in response to a trigger based on the first priming parameter (e.g., if an ape_boss_only 202 parameter value is set to ‘false’). In some other examples, the priming controller
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions 900 which may be executed to configure a printer (e.g., the printer 100 of FIG. 1 ) based on priming parameters obtained from a storage device (e.g., the acumen storage devices 110 ) associated with an ink supply (e.g., the ink supplies 106 ) of the printer 100 .
  • the example instructions 900 may be performed by the priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 .
  • the example printer 100 is powered on (e.g., plugged in or turned on) (block 902 ). When the printer 100 turns on, the example printer 100 performs an initialization process (block 904 ).
  • the initialization process may, for example, check the status of different aspects of the printer 100 to prepare the printer 100 to receive and perform print jobs.
  • the initialization process may include determining whether the print heads 104 are primed for use (e.g., have ink available for jetting) and/or checking the acumen storage devices 110 for proper communication.
  • the example priming controller 114 accesses printer parameters from a storage device 116 , 122 , 124 of the printer 100 (block 906 ). For example, the priming controller 114 accesses a boss_primes_complete parameter (e.g., indicating whether an initial boss prime has been completed for one or more print heads 104 ) and/or a default priming behavior parameter (e.g., indicating whether acumen-based priming is to be supported or enabled by the printer 100 ).
  • a boss_primes_complete parameter e.g., indicating whether an initial boss prime has been completed for one or more print heads 104
  • a default priming behavior parameter e.g., indicating whether acumen-based priming is to be supported or enabled by the printer 100 .
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether priming configuration is needed for the printer 100 (block 908 ). Priming configuration of the printer 100 may be needed if, for example, the boss_primes_complete printer parameter indicates that an initial priming procedure has not been completed for one or more print heads 104 . If priming configuration is needed (block 908 ), the example priming controller 114 determines whether the printer 100 is forcing default priming behavior (e.g., disabling acumen-based priming via the printer parameters) (block 910 ). Default priming behavior may include configuration instructions coded into the firmware or software of the printer 100 , or otherwise does not rely on information obtained from the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • default priming behavior may include configuration instructions coded into the firmware or software of the printer 100 , or otherwise does not rely on information obtained from the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether acumen-based priming is enabled by the acumen storage device 110 of one or more ink supplies 106 (block 912 ).
  • the ink supply reader 118 may access the ape_disable 204 parameter of FIG. 2 in the acumen storage devices 110 , from which the priming controller 114 determines whether any of the acumen storage devices 110 have disabled acumen-based priming.
  • the example priming controller 114 loads the acumen-based priming parameters 202 - 226 for the printer 100 from the acumen storage devices 110 of the ink supplies 106 (e.g., via the ink supply reader 118 ) (block 914 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 loads default priming parameters for the printer 100 from a storage device 116 , 122 , 124 (block 916 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether the printer 100 is in an out-of-box configuration situation (block 918 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may determine whether the printer 100 has been previously configured or set up based on an out-of-box setting stored in storage device 116 , 122 , 124 .
  • Performing an out-of-box priming configuration may include, for example, performing one or more priming procedures and configuring subsequent acumen-based priming procedures of the printer 100 .
  • Example instructions to perform the out-of-box priming configuration are described below with reference to FIG. 10 .
  • the example priming controller 114 performs a new supply priming configuration (block 922 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may check to determine whether any new ink supplies 106 are present and/or configure subsequent priming procedures of the printer 100 based on the new ink supplies 106 . Example instructions to perform the new supply priming configuration are described below with reference to FIG. 11 .
  • the example priming controller 114 After performing the new supply priming configuration (block 922 ) or performing the out-of-box priming configuration (block 920 ), or if priming configuration is not needed (e.g., no changes have occurred since a previous occurrence of the printer being on) (block 908 ), the example priming controller 114 permits the printer 100 to enter a steady state (e.g., a ready state in which the printer 100 may receive and execute print jobs) (block 924 ).
  • a steady state e.g., a ready state in which the printer 100 may receive and execute print jobs
  • the example instructions 900 then end.
  • the instructions 900 of FIG. 9 may be performed each time the printer 100 is powered on to determine whether any priming configuration is needed (e.g., due to changes in an ink supply).
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions 1000 which may be executed by the priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 to perform an out-of-box priming configuration of the printer 100 .
  • the example instructions 1000 may be executed to implement block 920 of FIG. 9 to perform an out-of-box priming configuration.
  • the instructions 1000 enter from block 918 of FIG. 9 .
  • the example priming controller 114 instructs the primer 112 to perform an acumen-based priming procedure for the print head(s) 104 (block 1002 ).
  • the example priming procedure is an initial priming procedure that places the print head(s) 104 in a condition in which the print head(s) 104 can print in response to a print command (e.g., by providing ink from the ink supplies 106 to the print head(s) 104 ).
  • the acumen-based priming procedure performed in block 1002 may be less than a full or complete priming procedure to prepare the printer for long-term or full-performance use.
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether the initial priming procedure has been completed (block 1004 ).
  • the initial priming procedure may be considered to be completed if a full or complete priming procedure has been completed to prepare the printer for long-term or full-performance use, but only partially or not completed if partial priming procedure has been completed.
  • performance of the A-type priming procedure is considered a partially completed priming procedure, while performance of both the A-type and B-type priming procedures is considered a fully completed priming procedure.
  • the example priming controller 114 sets both boss_prime_complete printer parameter and an ape_primes_completed printer parameter to ‘1’ or ‘true’ (block 1006 ).
  • the priming controller 114 may store the values of the boss_prime_complete and ape_primes_completed printer parameters in the storage device 116 .
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether any ink supplies 106 have acumen storage devices 110 with parameter values of ‘false’ or ‘0’ for both priming parameters ape_boss_only 202 and ape_disable 204 (block 1008 ). If any ink supplies 106 have acumen storage devices 110 with parameter values of ‘false’ or ‘0’ for priming parameters ape_boss_only 202 and ape_disable 204 (block 1008 ), the example priming controller 114 sets the boss_prime_complete printer parameter to ‘true’ or ‘1’ and sets the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to ‘false’ or ‘0’ (block 1010 ).
  • the printer 100 is configured such that subsequent acumen-based priming procedures will occur when new (e.g., replacement) ink supplies indicate that an acumen-based priming procedure should occur.
  • the printer 100 may be configured to respond to time-based and/or usage-based triggers associated with (e.g., determined from) priming parameters 202 - 226 in the acumen storage devices 110 .
  • the example priming controller 114 sets the boss_prime_complete printer parameter to a value of ‘true’ or ‘1’ and sets the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to a value of ‘true’ or ‘1’ (block 1012 ).
  • the printer 100 may be subsequently configured to perform acumen-based priming procedures at a later time (e.g., if any of the ink supplies 106 are replaced with an acumen storage device 110 (e.g., associated with an ink supply 106 ) storing priming parameter values of ‘false’ or ‘0’ for priming parameters ape_boss_only 202 and ape_disable 204 , and which further causes the printer 100 to set the ape_primes_completed parameter to ‘false’ or ‘0.’
  • the example priming controller 114 sets the boss_prime_complete printer parameter and the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to respective values of ‘false’ or ‘0’ (block 1014 ). Accordingly, subsequent acumen-based priming procedures may be performed until, for example, the boss_prime_complete printer parameter and the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to respective values of ‘true’ or ‘1.’
  • the example instructions 1000 of FIG. 10 end and the priming controller 114 returns control to block 924 of FIG. 9 .
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions 1100 which may be executed to perform a priming configuration for a new ink supply installation of the printer 100 of FIG. 1 (e.g., a replacement ink supply) based on priming parameters (e.g., the priming parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 ) obtained from a storage device (e.g., in the acumen storage device 110 ) associated with an ink supply (e.g., the ink supply 106 ).
  • the example instructions 1200 may be executed by the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 to implement the example block 922 of FIG. 9 .
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether there are any new (e.g., replacement) ink supplies 106 present in the printer 100 (block 1102 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may compare one or more parameters (e.g., serial number, model number, etc.) in the acumen storage device 110 of each ink supply 106 to one or more stored parameters to identify a difference between the stored parameter(s) and the accessed parameter(s).
  • the priming controller 114 may compare one or more parameters (e.g., serial number, model number, etc.) in the acumen storage device 110 of each ink supply 106 to one or more stored parameters to identify a difference between the stored parameter(s) and the accessed parameter(s).
  • the example priming controller 114 accesses the ape_boss_only 202 and ape_disable 204 parameter values from the acumen storage device(s) of the new ink supply(ies) 110 (block 1104 ). The priming controller 114 determines whether any of the new ink supply(ies) 110 have values of ‘false’ for both of the ape_boss_only 202 and ape_disable 204 parameters (block 1106 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 accesses priming parameters from an acumen storage device 110 of an ink supply 106 which was previously selected (block 1108 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may look up a stored indicator of a representative acumen storage device 110 in the printer storage device 116 and load into memory for use in configuring the printer 100 .
  • the example priming controller 114 sets the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to ‘false’ (block 1110 ).
  • the priming controller 114 selects one of the acumen storage devices 110 to be used for printer configuration (block 1112 ).
  • the priming controller 114 may select the acumen storage device 110 by: a) selecting one of the acumen storage devices 110 that is the only one of the possible acumen storage devices 110 that has a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ and/or b) when multiple acumen storage devices 110 have a priming parameter ape_boss_only 202 value of ‘false,’ selecting the one of the acumen storage devices 110 that has a highest sum of the values for priming parameters ape_count_A +ape_count_B.
  • the example priming controller 114 updates the indication of the selected acumen storage device 110 for subsequent selection (e.g., in a subsequent execution of block 1108 ).
  • the example priming controller 114 After selecting the priming parameters (block 1108 ) or updating the indication of the selected acumen storage device (block 1114 ), the example priming controller 114 loads the priming parameters from the selected (or previous) acumen storage device (block 1116 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may access the priming parameters 202 - 226 via the ink supply reader 118 and load the priming parameters 202 - 226 into the memory (e.g., in an array). The example priming controller 114 ends the instructions 1100 and returns control to block 924 of FIG. 9 .
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions 1200 which may be executed by the priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 to monitoring a priming watchdog and/or perform priming procedures.
  • the example instructions 1200 may be executed to implement the example block 924 of FIG. 9 to monitor a priming watchdog and/or perform priming procedures.
  • the example priming controller 114 of FIG. 1 sets priming trigger parameters based on priming parameters in the selected acumen storage device 110 (block 1202 ).
  • the priming controller 114 may set one or more time-based priming trigger(s) (e.g., for different types of priming procedures), one or more usage based priming trigger(s) (e.g., for the different types of priming procedures), and/or one or more pre-job triggers (e.g., based on an age of the selected ink supply 106 ).
  • the priming controller 114 sets the triggers based on priming parameters such as ape_time_trigger_A 214 , ape_time_trigger_B 216 , ape_usage_trigger_A 218 , ape_usage_trigger_B 220 , ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 , ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 , and/or ape_supply_age_switch 226 .
  • priming parameters such as ape_time_trigger_A 214 , ape_time_trigger_B 216 , ape_usage_trigger_A 218 , ape_usage_trigger_B 220 , ape_prejob_bypass_ 1 222 , ape_prejob_bypass_ 2 224 , and/or ape_supply_age_switch 226 .
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether an acumen-based priming trigger has occurred (block 1204 ). If an acumen-based priming trigger has not occurred (block 1204 ), control returns to block 1204 to continue monitoring.
  • the example priming controller 114 determines whether a number of remaining acumen-based priming procedures is greater than 0 for the priming procedure associated with the trigger (block 1206 ). For example, if an A-type priming trigger occurs, the priming controller 114 may access the ape_count_A 208 parameter to determine whether the value is more than 0. If the value of the parameter is not more than 0 (block 1206 ), control returns to block 1204 to continue monitoring. In some examples, the priming controller 114 configures the printer 100 to disable triggers associated with priming procedures for which the count parameter is 0, and omits block 1206 .
  • the example primer 112 performs the priming procedure associated with the trigger (block 1208 ). For example, if an A-type priming trigger occurs, the priming controller 114 may instruct the primer 112 to perform an A-type priming procedure.
  • the priming controller 114 decrements the number of remaining acumen-based priming procedures (e.g., the count parameter associated with the performed priming procedure, such as ape_count_A 208 or ape_count_B 210 ) and increments a number of total acumen-based priming procedures performed for the ink supply 106 (e.g., the ape_total_count 212 parameter) (block 1210 ).
  • the number of remaining acumen-based priming procedures e.g., the count parameter associated with the performed priming procedure, such as ape_count_A 208 or ape_count_B 210
  • increments a number of total acumen-based priming procedures performed for the ink supply 106 e.g., the ape_total_count 212 parameter
  • the priming controller 114 determines whether the numbers of remaining acumen-based priming procedures is 0 for each of the ink supplies for which acumen-based priming is enabled (block 1212 ). For example, the priming controller 114 may determine whether the sum of the values of ape_count_A 208 or ape_count_B 210 is equal to 0 for each of the ink supplies 106 . If the numbers of remaining acumen-based priming procedures is not 0 for at least one of the ink supplies for which acumen-based priming is enabled (block 1212 ), control returns to block 1204 to continue monitoring for priming triggers.
  • the example priming controller 114 sets the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to 1 (block 1214 ). Setting the ape_primes_completed printer parameter to 1 signals that no acumen-based priming procedures are expected to be requested for the printer 100 .
  • the priming controller 114 also disables the priming triggers (block 1216 ). Disabling the priming triggers may eliminate requests (e.g., interrupts) to perform priming procedures.
  • the example priming controller 114 ends the instructions 1200 and returns control to FIG. 9 .
  • a loss of power to the printer 100 may occur, causing an interruption of execution. If power to the printer 100 is re-established, the example priming controller 114 restarts execution at block 802 of the example instructions 800 of FIG. 8 or block 902 of the example instructions 900 of FIG. 9 .
  • FIG. 13 is an example system 1300 to prepare an ink supply, such as the ink supplies 106 of FIG. 1 .
  • the example system 1300 may be part of ink supply manufacturing and/or refurbishing process(es).
  • the description below refers to one of the ink supplies 106 K of FIG. 1 , including the ink chamber 108 K and the acumen storage device 110 K.
  • the example system 1300 may additionally or alternatively be applied to any of the ink supplies 106 C, 106 M, and/or 106 Y of FIG. 1 .
  • the example system 1300 of FIG. 13 includes an ink chamber filler 1302 , a storage device programmer 1304 , and a priming parameter identifier 1306 .
  • the example ink chamber filler 1302 fills the ink chamber 108 of FIG. 13 with ink 1308 .
  • the term “filling,” particularly when referring to filling the ink chamber 108 K with ink may but does not necessarily refer to filling the ink chamber 108 K to capacity. Instead, filling the ink chamber 108 K with ink may refer to filling the ink chamber 108 K to some level that is less than full capacity and/or simply to putting ink into the ink chamber 108 K.
  • the example storage device programmer 1304 programs one or more priming parameter values into the acumen storage device 110 K.
  • the storage device programmer 1304 may include one or more electrical contacts to make contact with respective contacts of the acumen storage device 110 K.
  • the example storage device programmer 1304 then communicates the data to be stored in accordance with a type or structure of the acumen storage device 110 K.
  • the storage device programmer 1304 may apply a “write” voltage higher than a “read” voltage to write data to the acumen storage device 110 K.
  • the example priming parameter identifier 1306 identifies a type of acumen storage device 110 K, a type of ink supply 106 K, and/or a type of ink 1308 being filled in the ink chamber 108 K. Based on the identified type(s), the example priming parameter identifier 1306 looks up an appropriate set of priming parameters in a parameter database 1310 and provides the parameter data to the storage device programmer 1304 for programming to the acumen storage device 110 K. For example, the priming parameter identifier 1306 may look up initial values for the priming parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 and provide the initial values to the storage device programmer 1304 .
  • While an example manner of implementing the system 1300 is illustrated in FIG. 13 , one or more of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in FIG. 13 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the example ink chamber filler 1302 , the example storage device programmer 1304 , the example priming parameter identifier 1306 and/or, more generally, the example system 1300 of FIG. 13 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware.
  • any of the example ink chamber filler 1302 , the example storage device programmer 1304 , the example priming parameter identifier 1306 and/or, more generally, the example system 1300 could be implemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • PLD programmable logic device
  • FPLD field programmable logic device
  • the example system 1300 is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.
  • a tangible computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.
  • the example system 1300 of FIG. 13 may include one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 13 , and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart representative of an example method 1400 to prepare an ink supply, such as the ink supplies 106 of FIG. 1 .
  • the example method 1400 may be used on ink supplies that have an ink chamber (e.g., to hold ink) such as the ink chambers 108 of FIG. 1 , and a machine readable storage device, such as the acumen storage devices 110 (or acumen chip).
  • the example method 1400 of FIG. 14 may be used during (e.g., as a part of) manufacturing and/or refurbishment of an ink supply.
  • the example method 1400 may be performed by the system 1300 of FIG. 13 .
  • the example method 1400 includes filling an ink chamber (e.g., the ink chamber 108 K of FIG. 1 ) of an ink supply (e.g., the ink supply 106 K of FIG. 1 ) with ink (block 1402 ).
  • an ink chamber e.g., the ink chamber 108 K of FIG. 1
  • an ink supply e.g., the ink supply 106 K of FIG. 1
  • the example method 1400 further includes storing a priming parameter in a machine readable storage device of the ink supply (block 1404 ).
  • the storage device programmer 1304 of FIG. 13 may be communicatively coupled to the acumen storage device 110 to program initial values of the parameters 202 - 226 of FIG. 2 in the acumen storage device 110 .
  • Storing the priming parameter in the acumen storage device 110 overwrites any previous values that may have been stored for the priming parameter in the acumen storage device 110 .
  • the storing the priming parameter may be used to reset a number of priming procedures that have been performed in association with the ink supply 106 and/or a number of priming procedures to be performed in association with the ink supply 106 .
  • the example method 1400 then ends.
  • Example ink supplies and methods to prepare ink supplies disclosed herein enable a larger degree of flexibility when designing ink for inkjet printers. Flexibility in designing ink arises from the ability to select and/or program priming parameters for the ink supply late in the development and/or manufacturing stage. For instance, if an ink formulation changes for an inkjet printer, ink supplies containing the new formulation can be programmed with priming parameters specific to the formulation instead of relying on priming procedures encoded into firmware. Firmware-based priming procedures may need to be updated to handle different types of ink and/or ink supply designs.
  • Example ink supplies and methods to prepare ink supplies disclosed herein overcome this limitation by enabling priming parameters to accompany the ink in a storage device (e.g., a semiconductor-based memory) provided with the ink supply. Flexibility in using the inkjet printer arises from enabling a user of the inkjet printer to change ink formulations without requiring updates to firmware. This is beneficial because firmware updates may cause undesirable printer down time.
  • a storage device e.g., a semiconductor-based memory

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  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
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US10076908B2 (en) 2018-09-18
CN105939859A (zh) 2016-09-14
CN105939859B (zh) 2018-04-20
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