Patent ID: 6467888
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A system for controlling fluid delivery and one or more parameters of fluid usage in a fluid jet printing system comprising:a stand alone base station removably mounted to said fluid jet printing system, wherein said base station comprises: a reservoir in said base station for periodically receiving a replenishment volume of a fluid media; a fluid measurement and metering system disposed in said base station for detecting a level of said fluid media in said reservoir and for metering and measuring a flow of said replenishment volume of a fluid media flowing to said reservoir; a base station transponder module having a memory and a transponder; and a micro-controller in said base station for controlling fluid delivery and monitoring one or more parameters of fluid usage, wherein said functions of controlling fluid delivery and monitoring one or more parameters of fluid usage are controlled by said micro-controller independent from the electronics, controllers, or processors of said fluid jet printing system; a fluid bottle that is replaceable mounted to said base station for supplying said replenishment volume of a fluid media, wherein said fluid bottle comprises: a cavity defined by one or more sidewalls of said fluid bottle for holding said fluid media; a bottle transponder module having a memory and a transponder; and a communication link established between said base station transponder module and said bottle transponder module when said fluid bottle is inserted in said base station.