Patent ID: 7401052
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: B41J,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for validating warranty compliance for compatible fluid use of a printing system, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a. fluidly engaging a replaceable fluid container with a reservoir associated with a print station having a printhead connected to the reservoir, wherein the replaceable fluid container is adapted to contain a fluid which is for filling the reservoir and which has a shelf life, wherein a controller is for controlling fluid flow from the replaceable fluid container to the reservoir, wherein a reader/writer is intended to have a smart card adapted to track volumetric credits relating to the fluid and is connected to the controller; b. requesting to withdraw the fluid from the replaceable fluid container; c. ascertaining a presence or absence of a warranty breach condition relating to the smart card and/or the fluid, which warranty breach condition can be either an absence of the smart card at the reader/writer, a zero volumetric credit on the smart card at the reader/writer, the smart card at the reader/writer cannot be read, the fluid in the replaceable fluid container has exceeded its shelf life, or the fluid is incompatible; d. sending a message to a user interface of the print station alerting a user to a presence of the warranty breach condition; e. offering a choice to the user of acceptance of the warranty breach condition, rejection of the warranty breach condition, no response, or installation of the smart card with volumetric credits at the reader/writer, wherein the choice results in of one of the following steps: