Printer having interface for refill control
View Patent ↗A printer is provided having a print cartridge which includes at least one reservoir for storing printing fluid, a printhead in communication with the reservoirs and a refill port arranged to mate with a corresponding connector of a refill cartridge, a cradle for removably receiving the print cartridge which includes a controller for controlling the printer, and a connection interface for connecting the print cartridge to the controller. The refill port includes inlets corresponding to, and in fluid communication with, each of the reservoirs. The connection interface is configured to receive control signals from the controller for causing, when the refill port is mated with the refill cartridge, refilling of the reservoir, and when the refill port is not mated with the refill cartridge, the printhead to print the printing fluid.
1. A printer comprising:
a print cartridge including at least one reservoir for storing printing fluid, a printhead in communication with the reservoirs and a refill port arranged to mate with a corresponding connector of a refill cartridge, the refill port including inlets corresponding to, and in fluid communication with, each of the reservoirs;
a cradle for removably receiving the print cartridge, the cradle including a controller for controlling the printer; and
a connection interface for connecting the print cartridge to the controller, the connection interface being configured to receive control signals from the controller for causing, when the refill port is mated with the refill cartridge, refilling of the at least one reservoir, and when the refill port is not mated with the refill cartridge, the printhead to print the printing fluid.
2. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.
3. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the connection interface comprises terminals positioned upon a body of the cradle arranged to contact corresponding terminals located upon the removable print cartridge upon insertion of the print cartridge into a recess of the cradle.
4. A printer according to claim 3 , wherein the terminals are located upon one or more walls of the recess.
5. A printer according to claim 4 , wherein the recess is elongate and wherein the terminals are located on at least one end wall of the recess.
6. A printer according to claim 4 , wherein the recess is elongate and wherein the terminals are located on opposing end walls of the recess.
7. A printer according to claim 3 , wherein the terminals comprise both data and power terminals.
8. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the printing fluid is ink.
9. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein the print cartridge comprises a plurality of reservoirs, each dedicated to store a predetermined coloured ink.