Ink Cartridge Memory Threshold Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems may incorrectly determine an ink cartridge as empty due to firmware or sensor failures, leading to unnecessary cessation of ink supply and potential blank printing, even when the cartridge still contains ink.

Innovation Solution

A liquid storage container with integrated memory that compares ink amount information with threshold information before writing an empty or full state to storage, preventing erroneous recordings by ensuring the ink consumption or remaining amount meets a predetermined condition before updating the state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the printing apparatus writes the empty-ink state to the storage element based on sensor detection, then the ink supply management is automated, but erroneous writing may occur due to firmware or sensor failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic empty-ink state detection and writingVSAvoidaccuracy of empty-ink state determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory includes a processing section that receives detection information from the printing apparatus and feeds back verification by comparing ink amount information with threshold information stored in the storage section. This feedback mechanism ensures that erroneous detection information is corrected before being permanently stored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before writing the empty-ink state to the storage element, the system performs preliminary comparing processing to verify that the ink amount information actually satisfies the threshold condition. This preliminary action prevents erroneous writing from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the printing apparatus stops ink feeding when empty-ink state is detected, then blank printing is prevented, but unnecessary cessation occurs when sensor failure leads to false positive detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of blank printingVSAvoidaccuracy of ink supply control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory verifies the detection information by comparing ink amount information with threshold information before stopping ink feeding. This feedback verification ensures that ink feeding is stopped only when truly necessary, preventing unnecessary cessation due to sensor failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary comparison of ink amount information against the threshold before executing the ink feeding stop command. This preliminary action ensures that the ink supply control is based on accurate verification rather than potentially erroneous sensor readings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the memory stores detection information without verification, then the writing process is simple and fast, but erroneous information is permanently recorded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of state recordingVSAvoidaccuracy of stored ink state information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Before writing detection information to the storage section, the processing section performs preliminary comparing processing to verify the accuracy of the information. This preliminary action ensures that only accurate information is stored, preventing loss of correct information while maintaining efficient recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback verification where the processing section compares ink amount information with threshold information before writing. This feedback mechanism ensures data accuracy without significantly complicating the writing process, as the verification is integrated into the existing writing flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11897266B2Memory, liquid storage container, and printing system

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Memory provided in an ink cartridge attached to a printing apparatus includes: a storage section in which ink amount information about an amount of stored ink and threshold information about a threshold of the amount of the ink are stored; and a processing section that performs processing based on information received from the printing apparatus and information stored in the storage section, in which when receiving, from the printing apparatus, empty-ink information indicating that the ink cartridge is in an unusable state, the processing section performs comparing processing of comparing the ink amount information with the threshold information, when a result of the comparing processing satisfies a predetermined writing condition, the processing section writes the empty-ink information to the storage section, and when the result does not satisfy the writing condition, the processing section does not write the empty-ink information to the storage section.