Printing cartridge with pressure sensor array identification
View Patent ↗A printing cartridge ( 1230 ) includes a housing ( 1231 ). An array ( 1232 ) of pressure sensor actuators ( 1236 ) is positioned on the housing. The array of pressure sensor actuators represents data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant, so that when a pressure sensor array is actuated by the array of the pressure sensor actuators, a signal carrying such data can be generated.
1. A printing cartridge comprising
a housing containing print media and ink; and
an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the housing, the pressure sensor actuators being positioned to represent data relating to a characteristic of the media and/or ink, so that the pressure sensor actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of pressure sensors in a pressure sensor array to generate a signal carrying such data,
wherein the data represented by the array of pressure sensor actuators relates to at least one of: a serial number identifying print media, a type of print media, and a length of print media.
2. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data represented by the array of pressure sensor actuators further relates to at least one of: a serial number identifying the ink, a type of ink, a viscosity of the ink, a surface tension of the ink, optical characteristics of the ink and an optimal ink drop volume corresponding to a type of media.
3. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , in which the array of pressure sensor actuators is in the form of an array of projections that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the array of pressure sensors when the printing cartridge is engaged with a printing device.
4. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 3 , in which each projection in the array of projections is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding pressure sensor in the form of a micro electro-mechanical pressure sensor.
5. A method of determining a characteristic of print media contained in a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of pressure sensors within an array of pressure sensors in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of pressure sensors being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media.
6. A printing device that comprises
a body for receiving a printing cartridge; and
an array of pressure sensors positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to a characteristic of ink and/or print media contained in the print cartridge,
wherein predetermined combinations of pressure sensors in the pressure sensor array are actuable by an array of pressure sensor actuators positioned on the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body,
wherein the array of pressure sensors is in the form of a micro electro-mechanical system.
7. A printing device as claimed in claim 6 , in which each pressure sensor is configured to be actuable by a projection defining one of the pressure sensor actuators bearing against the pressure sensor.