WO2010003458A1

WO2010003458A1 - Container comprising a pressure medium for a pressure device, pressure device comprising such a container, and method for establishing communication

Info

Publication number: WO2010003458A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/058947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Casalegno
Original assignee: Pelikan Hardcopy Production Ag
Priority date: 2008-07-09
Filing date: 2008-07-09
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: EP2296901A1

Abstract

In order to be able to flexibly use a container (3) comprising a pressure medium in a pressure device (1), which queries a state of the container (3), a state indicator signal (ZAN) anticipated by the pressure device (1) is stored on a preliminary basis in a storage (9) and output to the latter following a query signal (ZAB) by the pressure device (1).

Description

A container of printing medium for a printing device, a printing device having such a container and a method for establishing a communication

It is known to create a two-way signal connection for electrical signals between printing devices and containers with printing medium, which are usually mounted on a moving printhead. About this two-way signal connection is often queried on the printer side information from the pressure medium tank and it will be

Transfer control signals from the printing device to the container.

The present invention basically relates to the problem of being able to use pressure medium containers flexibly together with different pressure devices or, conversely, using a pressure device, to be able to use different pressure medium containers flexibly. EP 1 403 070 and EP 1 837 187 disclose procedures which proceed from the stated problem.

Namely, a pressure device from which the level of the container is queried, and which, for further operation, expects a certain, level-representative state signal as a response signal, which is generated by a level sensor on the container to be able to operate with a container, what no level sensor is installed, according to these documents, a sensor replacement module is installed on the container. In this case, an input module is provided on the container, by means of which the signals received by the printing device of different significance are selectively forwarded to various units affected thereby, which are installed by means of a chip on the respective container. If it is detected on a signal coming from the pressure device that it is a fill level request signal, then the sensor replacement module is activated. Like a sensor actually present on a container, the detected fill level request signal activates the sensor replacement module. It simulates the operation of the - not installed - sensor. Due to this operational simulation, there is also the expected from the pressure gauge level indicator signal. An output module on the container returns the level indication signal to the pressure device. The printing device then assumes the operating state that it would assume if an actually provided level sensor, in response to the mentioned query, would output a substantially equal fill level indication signal.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify procedures of the type mentioned by committing another way significantly. This is on a container with pressure medium for a pressure device of the type mentioned, in which, connected to the pressure device container between

Pressure device and container a two-way signal connection for electrical signals is created, namely between a pressure-side interface and a container-side interface, and in which, over the Two-way signal connection, an interrogation signal for a container state is transmitted to the container and then a status indication signal is returned, achieved in that the container, a memory is provided with the status indication signal as pre-stored signal. A memory output is operatively connected to the container side interface, an output control input of the memory as well. When the interrogation signal is applied, this request triggers, as an event, the output of the prestored state indication signal from the memory to the container-side interface.

This is a surprisingly simple way compared to the previously known approach. Instead of providing a sensor replacement module which, activated by the interrogation signal, simulates the operation of a sensor and, in accordance with this operation, generates the condition indication signal, according to the present invention, the condition indication signal is pre-stored on the container, namely in the mentioned memory. The interrogation signal does not trigger on the basis of its signal properties but due to the event that the interrogation signal is present.

Is on a printing device, which is to be operated according to the invention trained container, provided for the output of the state request signal and the recording of the state indication signal physically own interface, separated from another interface for two-way communication with the container regarding Further communication needs, so the presence of a signal from the printing device to the container-side interface to interpret directly as said event, namely: There is a state request signal available. Thus, the invention designed according to

Container in this case particularly simple, by directly triggering the occurrence of an electrical signal which is above the noise level, at the mentioned interface, the output of the state indication signal from the memory.

But if the printing device with respect to said interface is designed so that over it different signals, for different purposes, are performed, including the mentioned interrogation signal, then, according to a variant embodiment of the inventive container, the

Output control input of the memory and the container-side interface a signal discriminator interposed. This is recognized when an applied signal is a status request signal. Provision of a signal discriminator unit of the type mentioned, which is pre-settable, for example, with respect to signal discrimination, for example, makes it possible to perform the read-out operation on the memory due to predetermined state request signals.

In this case, the signal discriminator unit merely determines whether or not the or a particular interrogation signal is present. For example, although the container condition queried by a condition request signal may be a temperature, a characteristic of the pressure medium, the container, etc., in the presently preferred embodiment, the queried condition is a fill level condition of the print medium or one of the print media in the container.

In a further embodiment of the container according to the invention, the two-way signal connection, and correspondingly the container-side interface, is a connection via galvanic contacts and is provided exclusively for the transmission of status inquiry signals and status indication signals.

As already discussed in connection with providing or not providing a signal discriminating unit interposed between the container-side interface and the output control input of the memory, the last-mentioned embodiment results in a particularly simple embodiment of the container according to the invention. If a signal from the printing device is present at the simple, galvanically formed interface, then, without further examination of this signal, the prestored state-indicating signal is output.

Characterized that, according to an embodiment of the inventive container, the memory output and the container-side interface, a digital / analog converter is interposed, it is possible to send the printer an analog state indication signal.

In a further embodiment, the container-side interface and the signal discriminator unit is an intermediate A / D converter. This makes it possible to detect a printer-side outputted analog state request signal in digital technology and evaluate according to the invention.

In a development of the invention, the memory contains a plurality of the prestored state indication signals. Each of the aforementioned prestored state indication signals is associated with at least one prestored state request signal, tabular. The signal discriminator unit is further developed into a signal detection unit such that it detects whether and, if so, which of the prestored state request signals is currently being applied by the printing device, whereby the respectively assigned state indication signal is output.

This makes it possible for one and the same container designed according to the invention to cooperate with pressure devices which respectively generate different status request signals and respond with a respectively correctly assigned status indication signal. Further, it is also possible to cooperate according to the invention formed container with a pressure device, which is designed to query various states, such as different levels each with different interrogation signals, or with the same interrogation signals in a specific time sequence. Finally, it is also possible to work with said container according to the invention together with pressure devices which are designed to interrogate different states, such as level, temperature, etc., with different interrogation signals.

In a further embodiment of the container according to the invention, at least one sensor is provided for at least one state of the container on the container. This sensor outputs at least one condition-dependent sensor signal, which, for example, does not correspond to the condition-dependent signal which a specific pressure device expects in response to its query. The output of the prestored state indication signal is therefore due to the concern of the state request signal on the one hand, but is additionally linked to a sensor signal dependent condition. This makes it possible to "convert" the state-dependent sensor signal, which is generated by a sensor on the container, in a different, expected by the respective pressure device signal.

In a further embodiment of the container according to the invention, a mechanical / electrical converter is provided thereon, at least for the generation of the electrical energy required on the container, whereby for the inventive container, autonomy is obtained with respect to electrical energy.

A pressure medium container with a mechanical / electrical energy converter for ensuring the operating energy for arranged thereon electronic components is considered as a further invention.

The invention further relates to a method for establishing communication between a printing device and a container of printing medium mounted thereon in which, responsive to a status request signal from the printing device, the container responds with a status indication signal. In this case, at least one container status identifying signal is pre-stored on the container and this signal, when the condition request signal from the pressure device, issued to the printing device. In a further development of the method according to the invention, a state-dependent sensor signal is generated by means of at least one sensor on the container, and the output of the prestored state-indicating end signal is additionally linked to a condition dependent on the sensor signal.

The invention will be explained by way of example with reference to figures. Show it:

Figure 1 Based on a simplified signal flow / function block diagram a inventive container on a printing device in a first embodiment.

Figure 2a over the time axis a pressure device side generated state query signal. FIG. 2b shows a status indication signal pre-stored on the container prestored on the interrogation signal according to FIG. 2a from the container to the pressure device.

FIG. 3 Schematically the generation of a signal which indicates that a status request signal has been generated on the pressure device side of the container.

Figure 4 Further simplified and in the form of a signal flow / function block diagram, a further embodiment of the inventive container or the inventive method.

FIG. 5 Further simplified and in the form of a signal flow / function block diagram, a further embodiment of a container according to the invention or of a method according to the invention.

Figure 6 Simplifies and based on a signal flow / function block diagram, another embodiment of a container according to the invention or a method according to the invention. Figure 7 Simplified and schematically a mechanical / electrical converter to a container for printing medium, operatively connected to a printing device, for creating electrical energy autonomy on the container.

In FIG. 1, simplified and in the form of a signal flow / function block diagram, a first exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention or of a printing apparatus with such a container or the inventive communication method is shown. A two-way signal connection 5 exists between a printing apparatus 1 and a container 3 for at least one usually liquid printing medium, for example ink (not shown). For this purpose, a container-side interface 7b is provided and a pressure-device-side interface 7d. The signal transmission between the interfaces 7d and 7b can be done wirelessly via a local radio link or optically, but in today's preferred embodiment is realized galvanically via metal contacts.

From the schematically shown at P.

Pressure device processor, a state request signal ZAB is transmitted via the two-way signal connection 5 to the container 3. On the container 3, a storage unit 9 is installed, for example an EPROM, which, as shown in dashed lines at LS, has been pre-charged. In the memory unit 9, as previously mentioned stored, a state indication signal ZAN is stored. Of the Output A9 of the memory unit 9, is operatively connected via the two-way signal connection to the printing device 1, via the mentioned interfaces 7b and 7d. The two-way signal connection via the mentioned interfaces is exclusively for state request signals and

State indication signals ZAB or ZAN provided. If other than the state request signal ZAB are supplied to the container 3 via this connection 5 on the printer side, this is done via a second two-way signal connection 13 with corresponding interfaces. If, therefore, as shown schematically in FIG. 2a over the time axis t, an electrical signal which lies above the respective noise level at some point on the interface 7b from the printing device 1, must be a state request signal ZAB. In the embodiment described here, the addressed state request signal may be a digital or an analog signal. In any case, upon occurrence of such a signal ZAB, as shown at tl in Figure 2a, or immediately thereafter, by this occurrence event, the memory unit 9 is driven to an output control input L for outputting the stored signal ZAN, which is the bi-directional signal connection 5 back to the printing device 1.

In FIG. 2 b, the state display signal ZAN output after the time of occurrence t 1 and transmitted to the printer device 1 is shown schematically. Also at This signal ZAN can be a digital or an analog signal. However, because in the memory unit 9, the state indication signal ZAN is stored digitally anyway, the output of an analog signal to the printing device 1 requires a between output A9 of

Memory unit 9 and the container-side interface 7b provided digital / analog converter unit, as shown in dashed lines at 11 in Figure 1.

If the printing device 1 expects a digital signal in response to the status request signal ZAB, the signal ZAN is preferably stored in the memory unit 9 in the format expected by the printing device 1. Thus, the printer-side process, responsive to a condition request signal ZAB, receives a status indication signal ZAN which is the same as a status indication signal that would output a sensor to the container for the mentioned condition, if any, on the container 3. The requested device state signal ZAN is therefore transmitted back to the printing device 1 in the same way as if a detecting sensor indicating the requested state with ZAN were provided on the container 3.

With regard to FIG. 2 b, it must be pointed out that the signal ZAN is not only defined by the amplitude curve over the time t, but also delayed by an optionally present delay time interval τ, which is transmitted back to the pressure device 1. The pre-storage of the status indication signal ZAN on the storage unit 9 is carried out, for example, by means of a laptop or PC, and it may well be possible to apply the aforementioned status indication signal ZAN from a central location

Download server, for example via the Internet and store in the unit 9. By indicating the affected printing device 1, the appropriate server ZAN is provided by the server mentioned, against payment or free of charge.

The queried by the printing device 1 state may well be a temperature of the container 3 or a peculiarity of the pressure medium used, etc., but in today's much preferred embodiment, a level state on

Container 3 with respect to a pressure medium. Thus, the prestored signal ZAN is a signal which corresponds to a fill level indication signal of a fill level sensor not installed on the container 3.

How from the presence of any state request signal ZAB an output control signal at the control input L of the memory unit 9 is generated, the skilled person is quite familiar. As shown schematically in FIG. 3 and shown by way of example, this can be done by

Intermediate circuit of a monostable component 15 take place, which in response to an input signal which exceeds a predetermined signal level, a pulse emits. The latter triggers the output of the state indication signal ZAN at the memory unit 9.

If, as will be explained with reference to FIG 4, via the same two-way signal connection 5 'with the container-side interface 7b' and pressure device side interface 7d 'a plurality of different signals from the printing device 1' to the container 3 'is output, then it is required on the container side to detect whether it is a signal received by the printing device 1 'to or a state query signal ZAB according to Figure 1 or to another signal ZAB.

According to FIG. 4, as shown schematically, the processor P of the printing device 1 'is the printer-side

Interface 7d 'both a state request signal ZAB, analogously to the embodiment of Figure 1, supplied, but in addition further control and / or interrogation signals

ZAB. At the container-side interface 7b 'thus occur signals that both the interesting

State polling signal ZAB, but also others

Signals ZAB. The signals transmitted via the mentioned interfaces 7d 'and 7b' are therefore added to a signal discriminator unit 15. This includes, for example, a comparator unit 17 and a memory unit 19. In the memory unit 19, for example, characteristics or characteristics of the status request signal ZAB are stored, for example Anplitudenverlauf, pulse sequence, etc. or, as shown with ZAB ₃ in Figure 4, the interest

State request signal ZAB itself. At the comparator unit 17, via the two-way signal connection 5 'from the

Pressure device 1 resulting signal ZAB, ZAB compared with the pre-stored in the memory unit 19 signal ZAB _S which is equal to each of the pressure device 1 'generated state request signal ZAB. If a match of the signal ZAB, ZAB currently obtained by the printing device 1 'with the prestored signal ZAB _{3 is} detected at the comparator unit 17, an output control signal is applied to the output control input L of the memory unit 9, as schematically represented by the switching unit Si. The aforementioned output control signal is according to Figure 4, for example, a certain electrical potential φ. As particularly clearly seen in this embodiment, the event that the condition request signal is present triggers the output of the status indication signal ZAN via the output control input L to the memory unit 9. This is transmitted via the interfaces 7d 'and 7b' to the printing device 1 '.

Because in this embodiment of the invention in today's technology, the signal discriminator 15 is implemented in digital technology, the mentioned discriminator 15 and the container side interface 7b 'then an analog / digital converter interposed (not shown) when the printing device 1' the State query signal provides as an analog signal. As already stated in connection with FIG. 1, the container-side interface 7b 'and the output A9 of the memory unit 9 are then interposed with a digital / analog converter when the viewed printing apparatus 1 expects and processes the status indication signal ZAN as an analog signal.

The procedure according to FIG. 4 and as discussed so far is based on the fact that signals are transmitted via the same device-side and container-side interfaces, in two-way communication, which, together with the state-of-interest signal and status indication signal of interest, comprise further signals.

As will be explained further, the provision of a signal discriminator unit, as has been explained in principle with reference to FIG. 4, opens up a multiplicity of further advantageous design possibilities of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows such a further embodiment. The container 3 "comprises an interface 7b", for example, as already presented with reference to FIG. For reasons of simplicity, it is assumed that exclusively state-request signal ZAB _x or state-indicated signal ZAN _{x are} transmitted at this interface 7b ". The container-side interface 7b "is operatively connected to a signal discriminator unit 15". For example, and as may also be useful for explanation purposes, the discriminator unit 15 "comprises a comparator unit 17" and a memory unit 19 ". In the memory unit 19 '' characteristics or peculiarities of several different, of different pressure devices Ia, Ib, Ic ... used state query signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b , ••• stored, as shown, preferably such signals themselves. The memory unit 19 "is, as already described with reference to FIG 4 memory unit 19, in advance of the memory unit 9 pre-loaded with the mentioned signals in digital form. The container 3 "is now connected at will to one of the pressure devices Ia, Ib .... We call this selected printing device I _x . 'Now transmitted by this printing apparatus I _x the state interrogation signal ZAB _x to the container 3''of this status request signal of the comparator 17, so' is supplied. A comparison cycle is triggered, in which all the state inquiry signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b ,..., Prestored in the memory unit 19 ''... As shown in FIG. 5 with the circulation symbol k, are present with the currently applied signal ZAB _x , preferably cached, compared. If coincidence of one of the stored signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b ,... Is detected with the instantaneous signal ZAB _{x present} , then, as already explained with reference to FIG. 4, due to the detection of this event, namely that a recognized state request signal is present, the memory unit 9 "is driven for output. In the memory unit 9 '' are the state query signals ZAB ₃ , ZABb, - associated, pressure device specifically expected state indication signals ZAN ₃ , ZAN _b , ... pre-stored in the manner already described.

The comparator unit 17 "not only determines whether a currently applied state request signal ZAB _x corresponds to one of the signals pre-stored in the memory unit 19", but also determines with which of the memory units 19 "pre-stored

State request signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b , ... the currently applied state request signal ZAB _x matches. Accordingly, by the comparator 17 '' over the

Output control input L triggered output of that cell of the memory unit 9 '' selectively driven and output at the output A9 '' that state indicating signal ZAN _a , ZAN _b , which is assigned to the detected state request signal ZAB _a , ZAB _b .... So for example, at the

Discriminator unit 15 "detects that the currently present state request signal ZAB _{x is} equal to the prestored state request signal ZAB _b from the memory unit 9 ", the status indication signal ZAN _{b is} output.

This makes it possible to use one and the same container 3 '' highly flexible with pressure devices Ia, Ib, Ic, etc. wherein the container 3 '' automatically recognizes which pressure device it is currently connected and, according to state query signals, this printing device responds with the status indication signal expected from this printing device.

Because in the embodiment explained with reference to FIG. 5, only certain signals detected by the discriminator unit 15 '' lead to an output of a memory content from the memory unit 9 '', it is readily possible, without any fundamental change, to transmit signals via the two-way signal connection 5 '' with reference to Figure 4 with

ZAB explained how to lead.

In the following, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art: If in connection with FIG. 5 it has been described how a container 3 "can be connected to various pressure devices which, device-specifically, generate state request signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b and also device-specific, state indication signals ZAN _a , ZAN _b ... expected from the container, it is clear that different state request signals of the type ZAN _a , ZAN _b - can also be generated by a single pressure device for querying different states. Thus, the container 3 "is suitable with different pressure devices and / or to be used with pressure devices that each query different states and expect corresponding state indication signals.

An embodiment of the present invention in which the container 3 '' 'is designed to handle various status request signals generated by a printing device will be explained in connection with a further development of the invention with reference to FIG. Until now, the case was considered in which a container formed according to the invention has no status sensor and respond to a respective status request signal from a printing apparatus having a prestored, "correct" status indication signal.

FIG. 6 merely shows a container 3 '"designed according to the invention and dispenses with the pictorial representation of a respectively assigned printing device. It should be considered the communication with a particular printing device. This provides one or more, as shown, several state request signals, and there is currently an unidentified state request signal ZAB _x . As explained with reference to FIG. 5, by means of the signal

Discriminator unit 15 '' on the one hand recognized whether the currently present state request signal ZAB _x one of the prestored state request signals ZAB _a , ZAB _b , ... corresponds to Figure 5 and, if so, on the one hand the signal output from the memory unit 9 "is triggered via the output control input L and, in addition, after detection by which prestored state polling signal ZAB _x is controlled by the memory unit 9", which associated status indication signals ZAN _a , ZANb ... are read out. The container 3 '''has now in the embodiment according to Figure 6, one or more sensors 20a, 20b, etc. Instead of at least a portion of the mentioned sensors may also be provided a sensor which is capable of depending on the detected state, two or generate more status indication signals.

On the side of the container, a status indication signal A ₃ , B _s, etc. is now generated with the provided sensor or sensors 20a, 20b, whereby the status indication signal A ₃ indicates that condition that is queried on the printer side with the status request signal ZAB _a , for example "print medium". Level 70% "and on which request the pressure device, for further undisturbed operation, the status indication signal in the ZAN _a in the

Memory unit 9 '' pre-stored form expected. In order for the pressure device under consideration to receive a status indication signal which, on the one hand, corresponds to the actual state, ie, for example, fill level 70% and also in the form expected by the pressure device, in the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the output from the memory unit 9 "becomes conditional linked, depending on the sensor output signal A ₃ , B _3, etc., for example, if a sensor 20 _a indicates the level 70%, with the presence of the Signal A ₃ . As shown in Figure 6, is thus outputted for example a a certain recognized condition interrogation signal ZAB associated state indication signal ZAN from the memory unit 9 ''. In the presence of the status inquiry signal ZAB ₃ the expected from the printing device state indication signal ZAN _3. But this only if the sensor signal, which indicates the queried state in real terms, for example, the signal A ₃ is present. As schematized with the switch unit Sg, the status indication signal ZAN which is pre-stored in the storage unit 9 "is only returned to the pressure apparatus if the requested state is also measured on the container 3" by means of sensor detection.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6 thus makes it possible to connect containers to which states, for example, pressure medium levels are actually measured, to be connected to pressure devices which interrogate these states, but expect a pressure device-specific format of the signal indicating this state from the container. There is a signal adaptation of conditional containers to any this state querying pressure equipment.

Of course, the embodiment according to FIG. 6 can be combined with that of FIG. 4 or 5. In particular, with regard in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be recognized by the person skilled in the art that the memory units 19 "and 19 can be combined with the memory units 9" and 9, respectively, by providing a single memory, which is like a table wherein one or more status indication signals are associated with the respective status request signals, or vice versa, wherein one or more status indication signals are associated with one or more status request signals. Namely, it is quite possible that a state request signal generated on the pressure device side, for example, time sequentially, is to be retransmitted to a plurality of state indication signals or that a considered state indication signal is to be output, optionally in combination with others

State indication signals due to various state polling signals.

Of course, it is necessary to provide an electrical supply in a container designed according to the invention. Although it is quite possible to ensure the electrical supply of the container according to the invention, by means of micro-batteries or accumulators, such as those used for in-ear hearing aids or to use signals received from the printing device in addition to provide the necessary electrical energy, such as via capacitive energy storage, the use of a mechanical / electrical transducer is explained as follows should be preferred. This independence is achieved on the one hand by batteries or accumulators on the other hand of the pressure equipment used in each case. As is well-known, containers for the printing medium associated with printing apparatus are very often used at high levels even before the beginning of a printing phase

Accelerations moved. Therefore, it is proposed to convert the mechanical energy generated thereby into electrical as a feed energy for the container according to the invention.

By way of example, such a procedure shall be explained with reference to FIG. Of course, this procedure can be used to generate electrical energy to a container for operative connection with a pressure device, completely independent of the invention previously described and is therefore considered as an independent invention.

At a printing device 30, a pressure medium container 33 is attached. The container 33 is moved by a pressure device side drive M, for example linearly as shown in FIG. 1 with high acceleration back and forth. Utilizing the principle of inertia, a mechanical / electrical converter unit 35 is provided which, for example, comprises a coil arrangement 37, in which a magnet core 39 is arranged, freely movable along the coil axis. Due to the high accelerations of the container 33, the magnetic core 39 is moved along the coil axis in the coil assembly 37 back and forth. As a result, electrical energy is induced at the taps of the coil arrangement. The tap signal from the coil assembly 37 is rectified at a rectifier unit 41 and stored in a memory unit 43 and filtered. The output signal of the storage unit is used for the electrical supply of the electronic aggregates provided on the container 33, in particular the electronic parts used in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 according to the invention. Of course, if appropriate, the unit 43 may be followed by a voltage regulator.

Returning to the first aspect of the present invention, when referring to a container according to the invention, this basically means an arrangement in which printing medium, such as ink, is stored and which is refillable or, as a consumable part, replaceable. One or more interchangeable sub-containers, for example, may be provided on such a container for different color ink. With regard to such sub-containers, for example with reference to FIG. 5, each sub-container may be designed as a container according to the invention or they may be designed together as containers according to the invention, in which case each sub-container is addressed, for example, by different printer-side condition request signals which are answered centrally from a memory unit by means of different status indication signals.

Claims

claims

1. A container with pressure medium for a printing device, wherein, connected to the pressure device container between the pressure device and container a two-way signal connection for electrical signals is created between a pressure-side interface and a container-side interface, and wherein, via the two-way signal connection, an interrogation signal for a Container state is transmitted to the container and then a state indication signal is returned, characterized in that the container, a memory is provided with the state indication signal as pre-stored signal, a memory output to the container-side interface is operatively connected, as well as an output control input of the memory such that, at Request of the interrogation signal, this concern is evaluated as an event and then the prestored state indication signal is output from the memory to the container-side interface.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container-side interface and the output control input of the memory, a signal discriminator is interposed.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interrogation signal is a level - interrogation signal with respect to pressure medium in the container.

4. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two-way signal connection is a connection via galvanic contacts, exclusive to the interrogation signal and the status indication signal.

5. A container according to claim any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the memory output and the container-side interface, a digital / analog converter is interposed.

6. Container according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the container-side interface and the signal discriminator an analog / digital converter is interposed.

A container according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the memory includes a plurality of the prestored state indication signals and each of the prestored state indication signals is associated with at least one prestored state request signal such that the signal discriminator is further developed into a signal detection unit such that it detects and, if yes, which of the prestored state request signals from Pressure device is applied, whereby the associated status indication signal is output.

8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the container is provided at least one sensor for at least one state of the container that outputs at least one state-dependent sensor signal that the output of the prestored state display signal due to the concern of the state request signal to one of the Sensor signal dependent condition is linked.

9. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 with a mechanical / electrical converter at least to generate the electrical energy required at the container.

10. pressure medium container for a pressure device, optionally according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises electronic components and at least one mechanical / electrical converter, the kinetic energy converts into electrical energy and the output side is operatively connected to supply terminals of the components.

11. A container according to claim 10, characterized in that the transducer comprises a coil assembly and a core wherein the core and the coil assembly along the coil axis are freely movable relative to each other.

12. Pressure device with at least one container according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for establishing a communication between a printing device and a container attached thereto with printing medium, wherein a state request signal from the printing device by the container with a status indication signal is responded, characterized in that at least one container status identifying signal is pre-stored on the container and this Signal is issued on the occurrence of a state request signal from the printer device to the printer device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that by means of at least one state sensor on the container, a state-dependent sensor signal is generated and that the output of the prestored state display signal is additionally linked to a sensor signal dependent condition.