WO2007024930A2 - Dispositif et procede d'entretien et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante a jet d'encre - Google Patents

Dispositif et procede d'entretien et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante a jet d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007024930A2
WO2007024930A2 PCT/US2006/032890 US2006032890W WO2007024930A2 WO 2007024930 A2 WO2007024930 A2 WO 2007024930A2 US 2006032890 W US2006032890 W US 2006032890W WO 2007024930 A2 WO2007024930 A2 WO 2007024930A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cartridge
ink cartridge
testing
station
ink
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/032890
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007024930B1 (fr
WO2007024930A3 (fr
Inventor
Harry Nicodem
Original Assignee
Tonerhead, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/373,026 external-priority patent/US7303249B2/en
Application filed by Tonerhead, Inc. filed Critical Tonerhead, Inc.
Priority to EP06802149A priority Critical patent/EP1937482A2/fr
Priority to CA002620086A priority patent/CA2620086A1/fr
Publication of WO2007024930A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007024930A2/fr
Publication of WO2007024930A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007024930A3/fr
Publication of WO2007024930B1 publication Critical patent/WO2007024930B1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • 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
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17553—Outer structure

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to a device and method for refilling inkjet cartridges, and more particularly, to an improved diagnostic, maintenance, testing, and refilling device and method of use thereof.
  • Ink jet printers use inkjet cartridges to place ink on paper scrolling under a movable printing head.
  • Ink jet cartridges contain a fixed quantity of ink and are generally discarded once the ink supply has run out.
  • Ink jet cartridges are equipped with a head with nozzles that contact with the printing head on the printer to release ink at appropriate locations in sufficient quantities. If a large quantity of ink is placed in the reservoir of the cartridge, the head member on the printer becomes difficult to move due to weight.
  • Ink jet printers are often compact and need a rapidly moving printing head to print pages rapidly.
  • the ink reservoir must be minimal in size and is therefore depleted long before any significant damage or wear to a cartridge shell is encountered. A cartridge depleted of ink may often be made whole if the ink supply is replenished. Constant refilling of the same cartridge ultimately damages the cartridge shell and its ink releasing nozzles.
  • the present disclosure relates to a black and color inkjet cartridge testing and refilling device and method of use thereof,
  • the device includes a testing station and a refill station to be used in conjunction with a user-friendly interface able to guide a user during the steps associated with refilling an inkjet cartridge.
  • the device is able to store waste ink, contain an substantial supply of refill ink, and even house stickers and clips to be placed on refilled cartridges to prevent drying.
  • the device is also designed to guide a user through an initial determination of the capacity to refill the type of cartridge desired.
  • the automated control system also helps users through easy cleaning procedures, test printing procedures, and purge operations.
  • the invention disclosed in a first embodiment is a refilling station equipped with a lower and an upper cabinet. A user is instructed to insert a cartridge on the appropriate testing station and refilling station using either a touch-screen display or light-emitting diodes.
  • the automated control system determines what modules must be used and evaluates the integrity of the cartridge at each step of the step-by- step user guiding process.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective 3D view of an inkjet cartridge maintenance and refill device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 illustrating the components on the upper and lower cabinets.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective 3D view of the lower cabinet of the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of a storage cabinet of the device of FIG. 1 without the front doors.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the method for testing and refilling an inkjet cartridge using the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps of a second embodiment of the method for testing and refilling an inkjet cartridge using the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the method for testing and refilling a color inkjet cartridge using the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps of a second embodiment of the method for testing and refilling a color inkjet cartridge using the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of the ink storage drawer.
  • FIG. 10 is a series of three 3D views of a sample type and size inkjet cartridge to be used in conjunction with the device of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the automated computer system of the device shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 shows device 50 including a housing 51 made of an upper cabinet 52 and a lower cabinet 54.
  • the upper cabinet 52 may house electronic and mechanical components necessary for operation of the device 50, while the lower cabinet 54 supports the upper cabinet 52 and may also provide storage for accessories, storage ink, and parts that may be needed prior to and after maintenance and refilling of inkjet cartridges.
  • the lower cabinet 54 may house ink supply containers 55 as described in further detail below.
  • the upper cabinet 52 includes a testing station 56 located on the upper portion thereof and a filling station 58 located on the lower front portion thereof. Between the testing station 56 and the filling station 58, the upper cabinet 52 includes a touch-screen monitor used as an interface 59 to provide interactive operation of the device 50 by a user. Additionally, the upper cabinet 52 includes the plurality of color fill needles 60, the functions of which are described below.
  • the lower cabinet 54 includes an equipment storage cabinet 62, a portion of which may be hinged on one side so as to open and close to allow an operator access to the contents thereof.
  • the lower cabinet 54 also includes a drawer 64 that can be pulled out by a user to access the contents thereof.
  • the drawer 64 is configured to hold the ink supply containers 55 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9.
  • the ink supply containers 55 in a preferred embodiment may have two containers of black ink, one container having waste ink, and three more containers having color ink in the colors cyan, yellow, and magenta.
  • ink supply containers 55 may be heavy, a user can simply pull out the drawer 64, lift the ink supply containers 55 out of the drawer, or place ink supply containers 55 in the drawer 64 when necessary.
  • the drawer 64 may be supported by a pair of opposing telescopic drawer slides 65 that allow the drawer 64 to be pulled out fully from the cabinet 54 so that the user can simply have access to each of the ink supply containers 55 or containers stored in the drawer 64 without having to reach inside the drawer 64.
  • FIG. 10 a typical inkjet cartridge 70 is shown.
  • inkjet cartridges may differ significantly in configuration and operation depending on the manufacturer of the inkjet cartridge.
  • inkjet cartridges typically include certain essential components described herein.
  • the inkjet cartridge 70 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 72 that can be used to control the nozzles 74 of the cartridge 70.
  • a plurality of vent holes 76 equalize the pressure inside the inkjet cartridge 70 with the outside pressure when ink is being dispensed from the nozzles 74.
  • the essential components of a color cartridge are the same as the components of a black inkjet cartridge.
  • the inkjet cartridge testing and refilling device as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 51 a cartridge testing station 56, a refilling station 58, an ink supply 55, an automated control system shown as FIG. 11 , and a display interface 59 made of a touch-screen monitor.
  • the cartridge testing station 56, the cartridge refilling station 58 and the display interface 59 are mounted in the housing 51
  • the ink supply 55 is connected to the cartridge refilling station 58 by an ink pumping and transporting means 170, 172 as shown on FIG. 11
  • the automated control system of FIG. 11 is located inside of the housing 51 and is connected via a series of electronic controls to the refilling station 58, the testing station, the ink pumping and transporting means, and the display interface 59.
  • each display screen of the display interface 59 may include navigation buttons that enable the user to, for example, go back a step, go forward a step, abort, or request more information as the user progresses through the cycle of steps for using the device 50.
  • a user can touch the display interface 59 at any location to activate the monitor.
  • the display interface 59 displays a list of various manufacturers of inkjet cartridges from which the user can, in a first step, select the manufacturer of the particular inkjet cartridge 70 for which refilling or maintenance is needed. After selecting 101 the manufacturer of the inkjet cartridge 70, the various models of the inkjet cartridges manufactured by that manufacturer are displayed. The user is then instructed once a specific model of inkjet cartridge is selected to manually clean the nozzles 74 of the inkjet cartridge 70. In one preferred embodiment, the user is directed to use a cleaning pad located conveniently either on or inside of the housing 51. [0028] The user is next instructed by a signal associated with one of the test modules 80 of the testing station 56 to insert the inkjet cartridge 70 in the selected print/test module 80 by the automated control system as shown on FIG.
  • the testing station 56 includes a plurality of print/test modules 80, each of which is configured for a particular type of inkjet cartridge 70.
  • each print/test module 80 is designated with a particular number and a display such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 82, shown below the corresponding print/test module 80.
  • LED Light Emitting Diode
  • the display on the monitor 59 may instruct a user to place the inkjet cartridge 70 in the print/test module number 3 as shown on FIG. 1.
  • the LED 82 below the print/test module 80 that is to be used may illuminate to guide the user to the correct print/test module 80 to use for the particular inkjet cartridge 70 that is to be maintained and refilled by the user.
  • Each print/test module 80 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 84 that are configured to correspond with the electrical contacts 72 associated with a particular inkjet cartridge 70. Therefore, when an inkjet cartridge 70 is inserted in the proper print/test module 80, the contacts 84 of the module and the contacts 72 of the inkjet cartridge 70 connect 104a. Upon connection of the contacts 72 and 84, the device 50 performs a cartridge electrical test to determine the electrical integrity 104b of the circuitry that operates the nozzles 74 of the inkjet cartridge 70. Each nozzle 74 may include one or more transistors (not shown) that, if the transistor fails to open and close, may cause malfunction in the nozzle 74. Therefore, during the electrical test in the print/test module 80, the device 50 may test each transistor for electrical integrity.
  • the display interface 59 may provide the user with the number of open transistors and the number of closed transistors in the cartridge 70 upon the completion of the electrical tests 104c. If the number of short transistors exceeds a certain predetermined number 104e, the electrical test may fail and the user is instructed to take the cartridge 70 out of the print/test module 80, clean the contact area 102 again, and conduct the electrical test again 104 to 104e. Similarly, during the electrical test of the cartridge 70, the number of shorts that may be discovered may be above a predetermined 104e acceptable number by the automated control system as shown as FIG. 11. If so, the electrical test may fail and the user is instructed on the screen to repeat the process after recleaning the contact area 102 and performing the electrical test again. Should the inkjet cartridge 70 fail the electrical test repeatedly, the user is given a message on the display interface 59 that the inkjet cartridge 70 failed the electrical test and may not be maintainable or refillable.
  • each refilling module 90 includes a number to guide the user regarding the correct refilling module 90 in which to insert the inkjet cartridge 70. Additionally, each refilling module 90 is associated with an LED 92 disposed next to the refilling module 90, which is activated after the electrical test so that the user knows the correct refilling module 90 in which to insert the cartridge 70 to continue the maintenance and refill operation.
  • the procedure for maintaining and refilling the cartridge 70 may be different.
  • the procedure for refilling a black inkjet cartridge 70 is described first.
  • the procedure for refilling a color cartridge 70 is described second.
  • the steps relating to refilling a black inkjet cartridges are shown on FIG. 6 and the steps relating to refilling the color inkjet cartridge are shown on FIG. 8.
  • each refilling module 90 includes a black ink refilling interface 94 as shown on FIG. 2 and a seal 96 disposed on top thereof.
  • the black ink refilling interface 94 and the nozzles 74 of the inkjet cartridge 70 can be fluidically coupled so that black ink can be transferred from the black ink refilling interface 74 to the black inkjet cartridge 70 through the nozzles without any black ink leaking at the seal 96.
  • the display interface 59 instructs the user to remove the inkjet cartridge 70 and replace the inkjet cartridge 70 in the corresponding refilling module 90 to continue the process.
  • the device 50 can evacuate all of the black ink that may be in the black inkjet cartridge prior to refilling the black inkjet cartridge with fresh black ink.
  • the device 50 then proceeds, based on instructions from the automated control system shown as FIG. 11, to evacuate residual ink from the inkjet cartridge 70.
  • a display may be shown on the interface display 59 to the user that illustrates the progress of the evacuation of the residual ink from the inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the display interface 59 includes a vacuum meter that shows the vacuum level in terms of inches of mercury (in Hg) and an ink pressure meter that shows ink pressure in pounds per square inch (psi).
  • the display interface 59 may also show the level of ink in the cartridge 70 so that a user can see the progress of the current operation.
  • the automated control system shown as FIG. 11 fills the cartridge with fresh ink.
  • the display interface 59 displays the progress of the filling operation of the cartridge 70 with the help of a vacuum meter or a pressure meter.
  • the device 50 instructs the user to remove the inkjet cartridge 70 from the filling module 90 and use a cleaning pad to wipe the ink off the nozzle 74.
  • the testing station 56 includes a printing module 85 with a spindle for mounting a roll 87 of paper tape and a plurality of guides 89 to guide paper from the roll 87 toward the print/test modules 80 as shown on FIG. 2.
  • the printing module 85 includes a motor (not shown) that operates a roller to push the paper under the testing station 56 so that an inkjet cartridge 70 placed in a print/test module 80 can print on the paper when the paper traverses under the inkjet cartridge 70. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that while a spindle printing module 85 is shown, any other type of paper-based printing module may be used.
  • the user initiates the printing test 110 by touching the display interface 59. Paper from the roll 87 unwinds and traverses under the testing station 56 just below each of the print/test modules 80. Because the inkjet cartridge 70 is placed in a corresponding print/test module 80, the contacts 72 of the inkjet cartridge are electrically connected to the contacts 84 of the corresponding print/test module 80. Accordingly, the device 50 can instruct the inkjet cartridge to spray ink from the nozzles 74 on the paper. The paper will exit from the opposite end of the testing station 56 so that the user of the device 50 can tear off the paper and view the results of the printing test as performed by the cartridge 70.
  • the screen of the display interface 59 displays two print/test evaluation patterns to provide information to the user as to what constitutes an acceptable printout by the inkjet cartridge 70. The user is then able to validate independently the proper function of the print cartridge. Because each inkjet cartridge 70 may have different nozzle patterns, the device 50 displays on the display interface 59 a print/test evaluation that corresponds with the selected type and size of inkjet cartridge 70 being tested by the device 50.
  • the print/test evaluation shows an unacceptable print pattern where a number of nozzles 74 are inoperative 111. For example, a unacceptable print pattern may show that more than six of the nozzles 74 do not spray ink onto the paper and several adjacent nozzles 74 may be inoperative.
  • each nozzle 74 is used to print a line for a particular length on the paper.
  • the display interface shows appropriately if one or more nozzles are inoperative.
  • the number of inoperative nozzles from the inkjet cartridge 70 that may makes a print pattern acceptable or unacceptable may differ greatly depending on the configuration and the manufacturer of the inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the user activates a button on the interface display 59. The user is then invited to either to wipe the nozzles 74 with a damp cloth and conduct a new printing test, to blot the inkjet cartridge on dry cloth to wick out ink, or to run the inkjet cartridge 70 through a special remedy cycle.
  • the inkjet cartridge 70 When the third option is selected by the user, the inkjet cartridge 70 must be replaced 115 in the corresponding filling module 90 so that a special remedy cycle 116 may be performed.
  • the user is guided through the remedy cycle with the help of information displayed on the display interface 59.
  • a vacuum meter, an pressure meter, or other such device can display information during the drainage of the ink 117 from the cartridge.
  • the remedy cycle Once the remedy cycle has ended 118, the user is instructed to perform a new printing test 109 as described herein.
  • the remedy cycle 116 may be repeated if the electrical and/or printing test fails. If the inkjet cartridge passes the printing test at the conclusion of the remedy cycle once, the user is instructed to place a particular clip 120 and a sticker label 122 on the cartridge. Details regarding the clips 120 used for each cartridge and how a user can access the clips 120 and the sticker labels 122 and the functions of each of the noted components are described in detail below.
  • the steps of maintaining and refilling a color inkjet cartridge shown on FIG. 7 as 200 to 214 are similar in all respects to the steps of maintaining and refilling the black inkjet cartridge 70 except for the steps of evacuating, refilling, and conducting a printing test of the color inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the color inkjet cartridge 70 is placed in the corresponding refilling module 90.
  • Color inkjet cartridges can be filled through vent holes disposed on top of the color inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the device 50 includes a plurality of color filling needles 60 that are centrally located on the upper cabinet 52.
  • the device 50 is shown to include three needles 60 with different colors, namely, yellow, magenta and cyan, intended to be inserted by perforating holes 212 in the color inkjet cartridge via the vent holes. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any possible arrangement of ink color can be used according to market demand.
  • each needle can be pulled out of a holder 130 and inserted 213 into a corresponding vent hole of the color inkjet cartridge 70 associated with the color to be used. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of cartridge refill that vent holes may be partly hidden by stickers or other physical objects to protect against the unwanted passage of air through the vent hole.
  • a needle 60 punctures through any barrier and is inserted into the vent hole 212.
  • the holder 130 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects whether the corresponding color fill needle 60 is inserted in its designated holder 130 or is missing.
  • a safety measure is designed into the automated control system to alert the user if no needle is inserted into a cartridge and the filling or evacuation steps are requested. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that numerous safety measures can be added at each step of the refilling process to guide the user. It is also understood that such safety measures are a tradeoff with the overall ease of use of the device 50 and that while some preferred steps and measures are disclosed, the automated control system may be optimized and customized based on observation of user manipulation of the device 50.
  • the display interface 59 shows color-coded displays of information during the refilling and evacuating operations.
  • the user is instructed to remove the color fill needles 60 from the color inkjet cartridge 70 and place each color fill needle 60 back in the correct holder 76.
  • the display interface 59 may alert the user to remove all color fill needles 60 from the color inkjet cartridge 70 should the user fail to remove the appropriate color fill needle 60.
  • the printing test of a color cartridge as shown on FIG. 8 is very similar to the printing test for a black inkjet cartridge except that the nozzles 74 for each color, i.e., yellow, magenta and cyan, may be alternatively or sequentially used to print a pattern on the paper.
  • the method also includes the steps of inserting a color needle during the remedy cycle 223 and returning the color needle once the drainage has ended 226. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of cartridge testing that a determination of the location of nonfunctioning nozzles in association with the resulting printout produced by the cartridge 70 is used to determine what constitutes an acceptable minimum number and location of functioning nozzles for each different type and size of color inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the user is instructed to remove the color inkjet cartridge 70 and place a clip 120 on the inkjet cartridge 70, or in another preferred embodiment, to attach a sticker 122 on the appropriate location on the inkjet cartridge 70 to cover vent holes 76 punctured by the fill needles 60 during the refilling operation. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that when a inkjet cartridge 70 is filled using needles 60, the puncture holes on the cartridge 70 should be recovered to equalize the pressure in the color inkjet cartridge 70 with the outside pressure. The size of the vent holes 76 and how air is vented into the color inkjet cartridge 70 may be critical in producing acceptable printing results.
  • certain inkjet cartridges have various channels (not shown) on top thereof that are connected to the vent holes 76. These channels may extend beyond the sticker so that air can enter through these channels and reach the vent holes 76. Therefore, placing the sticker 122 on the inkjet cartridge 70 after refilling the inkjet cartridge 70 may be necessary. Furthermore, the nozzles 74 of the cartridge should remain moist or unexposed to air so that any ink that may be resting at the nozzles 74 does not coagulate and clog the nozzles 74. Therefore, the device 50 provides the number of clips 120, with each clip 120 configured for a particular color inkjet cartridge 70 from a particular manufacturer.
  • clips 120 may be stored in the equipment storage cabinet 62 of the lower cabinet 54. Each clip 120 may be in a particular bin that is labeled for easy retrieval and indexing. In one preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the equipment storage cabinet 62 includes a plurality of bins 140 that are labeled with letters. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the display interface 59 may be used to guide the user in the selection and placement of the appropriate sticker 122 and clip 120 from the appropriate bin 140.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the automated control system of the device 50.
  • the upper cabinet 52 and the lower cabinet 54 may also contain control electronics associated with the various electronic and mechanical components that provide the above-described operations of the device 50.
  • the device 50 operates by an automated control system and is understood by one of ordinary skill in the design of automated control system to include a controller module 150, at least a processor 152, a memory 154, and a communication port or bus 182, 184, or 186.
  • the automated control system is connected functionally to subcomponent of the device 50, such as the print/test modules 80, the refilling modules 90, the print/test module controllers 158, a printing module 110, a display interface 59, pumps 170 and 172, and other mechanical and electronic components 180.
  • Each of the print/test module controllers 158 of the print/test modules 80 includes at least a processor 160, memory 162, and a communication port or bus 164 for communication with the main controller module 150. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that while two pumps 170 and 172 are shown in FIG. 1 1, illustrating the refilling and the drainage functions, the use of ink pumping and transporting means may comprise peristaltic pumps, gravitational pumps, centrifugal pumps, air pressure vessels, hydraulic forces, or any other ink transportation means used in the field. It is also understood that while additional display information, such as the use of LEDs 82 and 92 associated with each print/test module 80 and refilling module 90, is not shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of additional user guidance methods can be implemented to facilitate the use of the device 50.
  • Each of the print/test module controllers 158 can control the operation of the corresponding printing/test module 80.
  • each print/test controller 158 may also include specific information about the inkjet cartridge 70 with which the print/test module 80 is compatible.
  • the memory 162 of each print/test module controller 158 may include information on how to operate, i.e., print, with a particular inkjet cartridge 70 from a particular manufacturer. The commands to actually print or test the particular cartridge 70, however, may be issued by the main controller 150. Subsequently, after receiving the commands from the main controller 150, each print/test module 158 may independently operate to print and test a corresponding inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the main controller 150 may also control the operations of the display interface 59.
  • a display interface 59 such as a touch-screen display to enter a command
  • that command is sent to the main controller 150, after which the processor 152 processes the information sent by the display and sends reply information, which may be a particular display screen, to the display interface 59.
  • the device 50 may include one or more pumps that provide pumping of ink from the ink supply containers 55 to an inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the device 50 includes a pair of multichannel peristaltic pumps 170 and 172, which can provide simultaneous pumping of all colors into an inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the peristaltic pumps 170 and 172 also provide precise metering of the correct amount of ink for each color of a color inkjet cartridge 70, or for the black ink refilling of a black inkjet cartridge 70.
  • the device 50 may include other mechanical and electronic components 180 that are operatively coupled to the main controller 150.
  • the device 50 also may include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication port 182 that allows an operator of the device 50 to upgrade or maintain the software that is stored on the memory 154 of the main controller 150 or the memory 164 of each of the print/test module controllers 158, as necessary. Additionally, through the USB communication port 182, an operator can collect data from the device 50 that may be stored in the memory 152 regarding the operation of the device 50 over a certain period of time. Accordingly, the USB communication port 182 provides for maintenance, upgradeability, and modifications of any software that may be stored on memory 154 of the main controller 150, or on the individual memories 164 of each print/test module controller 158.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • the device 50 may also include a serial port 184 from which the device 50 can operate a printer, another display, or other electronic accessories.
  • a printer can be connected to the serial port 184 so that after a user refills a cartridge, the printer that is connected to the serial port 184 can print a barcode label containing pricing information. Accordingly, the user can use the printed barcode label or pricing information to pay for the refilling of the inkjet cartridge 70 at a cashier station in the store in which the device 50 is installed.
  • the device 50 can also include the wireless communication port 186 that can provide wireless communication of the device 50 with other devices.
  • the wireless communication port 186 may enable the manufacturer of the device 50 to remotely communicate with the device 50 from a different geographic location to continuously upgrade the device 50 and/or to collect data from the device 50.
  • two devices 50 can communicate with each other to exchange data.
  • one device 50 can check with the other device 50 and provide a message on the display 59 to the user to use the other device 50 to perform the cartridge maintenance and refill operation.
  • the numerous operational configurations that can be provided with the wireless communication capability through the wireless port 186 of the device 50.
  • FIG. 11 is only an example of how the various internal components of the device 50 operate and can communicate with each other to provide the functionality that is described in detail in the foregoing. Other configurations of the internal components of the device 50 are possible.
  • the main controller 150 may simply be a personal computer motherboard that includes various processors, memories, graphics cards, communication ports, etc.
  • the display interface 59 could be a typical LCD display that is used in small, portable computers, car navigation displays, or the like.
  • each of the print/test module controllers 158 can be a motherboard of a personal computer that may be modified for use in the device 50. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any electronic or mechanical component can be used in the device 50 to provide the functionality of the device 50 as described in detail in the foregoing.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif et procédé de test et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante à jet d'encre noire ou couleur ainsi qu'un procédé d'utilisation correspondant. Le dispositif comprend une station de test et de recharge destinée à s'utiliser conjointement avec une interface utilisateur conviviale, capable de guider un utilisateur à travers tous les stades associés à la recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante à jet d'encre. Le dispositif peut stocker l'encre usagée, contenir une réserve importante d'encre de recharge et même accueillir des autocollants et trombones posés sur les cartouches rechargées, de manière à empêcher le séchage. Le dispositif est capable de guider l'utilisateur via une détermination initiale de la capacité pour recharger le type de cartouche désiré. Le système de commande automatique offre aussi l'aide aux utilisateurs grâce à des opérations de nettoyage facilitées, des opérations d'impression de test et des opérations de purgeage.
PCT/US2006/032890 2005-08-24 2006-08-24 Dispositif et procede d'entretien et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante a jet d'encre WO2007024930A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06802149A EP1937482A2 (fr) 2005-08-24 2006-08-24 Dispositif et procede d'entretien et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante a jet d'encre
CA002620086A CA2620086A1 (fr) 2005-08-24 2006-08-24 Dispositif et procede d'entretien et de recharge d'une cartouche d'imprimante a jet d'encre

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US71105805P 2005-08-24 2005-08-24
US60/711,058 2005-08-24
US11/373,026 US7303249B2 (en) 2005-03-11 2006-03-10 Method and apparatus for a printer cartridge tester
US11/373,026 2006-03-10

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007024930A2 true WO2007024930A2 (fr) 2007-03-01
WO2007024930A3 WO2007024930A3 (fr) 2007-07-12
WO2007024930B1 WO2007024930B1 (fr) 2007-09-13

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CA2620086A1 (fr) 2007-03-01

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