Inkjet Printer Ink Utilization via Rechargeable Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers often require frequent replacement of ink cartridges with intelligent chips, leading to waste, increased costs, and environmental issues due to incomplete ink usage, as they stop printing when the chip indicates exhaustion, even if there is still ink remaining.
Innovation Solution
An ink protection method that generates a rechargeable code based on ink volume and user information, allowing users to purchase generic ink and a rechargeable code, which is verified by the printer, ensuring complete ink utilization and continuous supply without the need for frequent cartridge replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intelligent chip ink cartridges are used to control ink ejection and prevent equipment breakdowns, then printer reliability is improved, but ink cartridge replacement frequency increases and ink utilization rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the ink supply system into two independent parts: the physical ink cartridge and the intelligent control system. Users can purchase generic ink cartridges without intelligent chips and combine them with the printer's control system through a rechargeable code mechanism, allowing the ink supply to be segmented from the control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rechargeable code acts as an intermediary between the user and the printer's control system. It allows users to register their ink purchases and track consumption without requiring physical modification of the ink cartridge or installation of additional chips, serving as a digital mediator that enables ink tracking and control.
2Measurement precision
If intelligent chips are installed in ink cartridges to track ink consumption, then ink level detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically installing intelligent chips in each ink cartridge, the system creates a digital copy of the ink consumption data through the rechargeable code mechanism. The code stores consumption information and can be transferred between cartridges, allowing the system to track ink levels without requiring physical intelligent components in the ink supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/intelligent chip-based ink level detection system with a software-based control system. The printer's control system uses the rechargeable code to track ink consumption and manage ink levels, substituting physical intelligent components with digital software management.
3Ease of repair
If ink cartridges are replaced frequently when the intelligent chip indicates exhaustion, then equipment maintenance is simplified, but time consumption and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static ink cartridge replacement model to a dynamic ink management model. Users can monitor their ink consumption in real-time through the rechargeable code system and top up their ink supply as needed, allowing the system to adapt to varying usage patterns and extend the operational cycle between replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rechargeable code system enables continuous ink supply by allowing users to top up their ink cartridges multiple times without replacing the physical cartridge. This maintains the useful action of printing continuously while reducing the frequency of cartridge replacement, thereby reducing time loss and maintenance frequency.
4Reliability
If the printer stops printing when ink counter reaches zero to prevent equipment damage, then printer reliability is protected, but ink remaining in cartridge is wasted and environmental friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring ink consumption through the rechargeable code and providing advance warnings to users before the ink counter reaches zero. This allows users to top up their ink supply proactively, ensuring complete utilization of the ink remaining in the cartridge and preventing waste while maintaining printer reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a kind of inkjet printer's ink protection method including: the developer generates a rechargeable code in accordance with the print head's nPL, total ink volume G0 and user's identifying information provided by the user; the user purchases ink and its corresponding rechargeable code, inputs the rechargeable code into the printer's control system, and fills ink cartridge in the ink supply system with ink; the printer's control system verifies the effectiveness of the rechargeable code; if the rechargeable code is effective, total ink volume G0 will be added into the ink counter; if not, the rechargeable code is output as ineffective. This ink protection method in the present invention can increase ink utilization rate, reduce the waste of resources and cost, protect the environment, avoid equipment breakdowns caused by using unqualified ink, and improve printer's operating stability. What's more the present ink protection method utilizes printer's software and hardware technologies in prior art, needs no extra equipment, and thus has strong practicability and is cost effective.