Abstract:
An integrated inkjet-cartridge refilling system that is comprised of an arrangement of mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and software elements, which is used by an operator in a retail environment to automatically connect one of many types of inkjet cartridges that are used in printing devices and refill the cartridge.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/495,262, filed Aug. 14, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and methods for refilling printer cartridges. In particular, the present invention is directed to an automated machine or station for refilling empty or near-empty inkjet cartridges for use in printing devices and methods to automatically refill empty or near-empty ink-jet cartridges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Printing devices, such as printers for use with computers, facsimile machines and copiers, are typically sold with at least one, and in many cases, multiple ink cartridges. These cartridges include a housing that contains a reservoir of printing ink, either black or color, along with printer nozzles, which allow the ink to be transmitted to the intended medium, and electrical contacts for communicating with the cartridge. 
     Many such cartridges are intended to be disposable; when the cartridge is exhausted of ink, of course, printing becomes impossible. The emptied cartridge must be removed and a replacement cartridge must be substituted therefor to enable further printing. The disposable cartridge must then be disposed of in a proper fashion to reduce spillage of any remaining ink and to reduce any potential adverse environmental impact of the ink and other materials of the cartridge. Unless properly recycled, disposing of the empty cartridge increases the amount of garbage added to landfills. 
     In reaction to the negative environmental impact of disposable cartridges, refillable cartridges have been developed and welcomed by the marketplace. At present, these refillable cartridges are refillable by the consumer by purchasing a refill kit including a syringe filled with ink and needle. In use, the cartridge is refilled by insertion of the needle into a refill port provided through the housing of the cartridge and emptying the syringe of ink into the reservoir of the cartridge. In practice, this is a less than ideal solution. 
     Often, the refilling of a refillable cartridge is accompanied by some spillage of ink. The process can therefore be messy as well as time-consuming. Furthermore, the introduction of ink by way of the syringe and needle also tends to introduce unwanted pressure into the cartridge, which causes ink to be expelled through the inkjet printing head portion of the cartridge. In some cases, combining the remaining ink with the new ink may cause unwanted color variations and other inconsistencies. After refilling, many so-called refillable cartridges are rendered unusable. 
     Many cartridge manufacturers allow customers to return their empty cartridges to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then refills the cartridge and resells the refilled cartridge for a discounted price. Further, many companies obtain empty cartridges, refill them with ink and sell the refilled cartridges for a discounted price, creating competition and lower prices. However, refilling an empty cartridge is the least expensive alternative, with the least amount of waste. 
     There are numerous printer manufacturers, such as Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Canon, etc., and each manufactures multiple cartridges for the many printing devices. Each cartridge has a housing that contains a number of electrical contacts and print nozzles in various configurations, and is designed or configured such that it may only fit into a particular printing device and no other. 
     In use, the cartridges are properly inserted into a printing device which receives a signal in order to print on the medium. For example, a printer connected to a computer may receive a print signal from the computer, while a facsimile machine may receive a signal over a telephone line. The printing device converts that signal, depending on its driver program, and sends the appropriate control signal to the cartridge, or in the case of a color printing device, to multiple cartridges. Once the control signal is received, each cartridge will transfer ink through its print nozzles as the medium passes beneath. When the control signal is complete, the printing device will have generated a document or drawing on the medium. 
     Each use of the cartridge reduces the amount of toner or ink remaining in the cartridge. Depending on the size of the cartridge, a number of documents or drawings can be generated before the cartridge is empty or near empty. The larger the cartridge, the more ink it contains and the more documents can be printed. When empty, the cartridge needs to be replaced. 
     Cartridges can be expensive depending on many different variables, including the overall need for a particular cartridge, the popularity of the printing device (the more cartridges manufactured the less expensive the cartridge due to economies of scale), and the amount of competition for the cartridge manufacturer, among others. 
     Further, the cost of the ink or toner in a cartridge is relatively inexpensive and has very little effect on the cost of the replacement cartridge itself. Thus, as many printing device owners understand, merely replacing the ink or toner in a cartridge can be an extremely inexpensive alternative to replacing the entire cartridge. 
     A demand therefore exists for an automatic mechanism and method in which the customer can refill a printer cartridge that reduces or eliminates ink spillage, does not destroy the cartridge and is convenient and reliable. The present invention satisfies this demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an automatic inkjet cartridge refilling system that is comprised of an arrangement of mechanical, electrical and electronic, pneumatic, and software elements that can be used by a customer to refill inkjet cartridges of various manufacture that are typically used in printing devices, such as printers connected to computers, facsimile machines and copiers. 
     The primary application of the invention is the placement of the refilling system in a retail location where a customer can present a used or empty ink-jet cartridge for refilling. Having an empty or near-empty inkjet cartridge in-hand, a customer views the system&#39;s video display screen, which displays promotional information and pictorial/text descriptions of cartridges that can be refilled at the station. Upon matching one of the pictures with the cartridge in hand, the operator selects the area on the touch-activated display that represents the match. The display advances to a set of instructions that typically open a door and prompts the operator to insert the cartridge into the proper door on the front of the machine. In an alternate embodiment, the user is prompted to place the empty cartridge into a slot in a cradle. The machine detects the insertion of the cartridge and performs any necessary testing and if the cartridge is viable, performs an automated process of emptying, cleaning and refilling the cartridge. Upon completion of the refilling process, the machine tests the refilled cartridge and prompts the operator to remove the cartridge. Upon a satisfactory result, the refilled cartridge is returned to the customer and is ready for use. The customer is then charged for the service. 
     One aspect of the invention is a method of refilling a printer cartridge including providing an inkjet refilling station with a housing, a computer and software to control the refilling process, a plurality of cradles or doors in the housing, wherein each of the plurality of cradles or doors is sized and shaped to receive a predetermined printer cartridge. The station is configured such that once the cartridge is properly placed into the loading area of the station, a printer nozzle interface slides vertically into place making intimate contact with the cartridge print nozzles. Once in place, ink can be removed and refilled without needles, or the mess associated with refilling cartridges. The station also includes electronics, including an electronic controller for controlling operation of the station, pumps and hoses to transfer used ink from and new ink to the empty cartridge to be refilled, and an interface for the user to input information to the refilling machine. The printer cartridge is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of cradles or doors. The insertion of the printer cartridge is sensed. The printer cartridge is emptied, cleaned, and refilled and the cartridge is tested. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the method the steps of sensing, emptying, cleaning and refilling, and testing are done in a fully automated manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a cartridge refilling station according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front facing view of one embodiment of a cartridge refilling station according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of one embodiment of a door assembly with cartridge according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of a door assembly without a cartridge according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   a - 5   d  is a side view of one embodiment of a door assembly with cartridge as it moves from open to closed according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of the cartridge loading area according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the cartridge loading area according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of one embodiment of a cartridge refilling station according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   a - 9   c  is flow chart of the operation of one embodiment of an ink-jet refilling station according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides an automated and simple way to refill a printer cartridge without the mess or danger. The user merely enters information pertaining to the manufacturer&#39;s name and cartridge model into the system, properly places the cartridge into a slot or door, provides some form of payment, and the automatic refilling machine  10  does the rest. 
       FIG. 1  shows a functional block diagram of the automatic cartridge refilling station  10 . The refilling station  10  consists of a cartridge loading area  12  where the empty or near empty cartridge is connected to the refilling station  10  for refilling, a computer  14 , such as a personal computer or PC, which provides information to and obtains information from the customer and controls the operation of the refilling station  10 . The refilling station also consists of an electronics section  16 , an ink distribution section  18 , which includes hoses or tubes to either dispose of the waste ink from the empty or near-empty cartridge or to provide refilling ink to the empty cartridge. The refilling station  10  also consists of the necessary wiring harnesses and other wiring to connect the various sections and components of the refilling station  10  to each other and to the electrical power. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a cartridge refilling station  10  includes an upright housing or console  20  of preferably metal and wood construction having a footprint or base dimension of about 38″×28″ and a height of about six feet, four inches. Rubber casters  22  are preferably attached to the base of the cartridge refilling station  10  so that it can be easily moved about. The refilling station  10  will need to be powered, usually through an AC power cord  24 , and in the preferred embodiment, the refilling station  10  will be connected to the Internet  26 , or an Intranet, either through a wired configuration  28  or through a wireless configuration  30 . The refilling station  10  may also utilize a telephone connection  32 . 
     Mounted within the front upper face of the refilling station  10  a display  34  is provided at a height that is convenient for the user to visually observe and manually manipulate. The display  34  is preferably a CRT or liquid crystal display with a touch- actuated input device or touch-screen display, which may or may not be integrated into the onboard computer  14 , as described below. Of course, other input devices can be utilized, such as a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, push-button switches, etc. (not shown) as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     The touch-screen display  34  serves the dual function of providing information to the customer, such as how to operate the refilling machine  10  and the status of the refilling procedure, while also allowing the user to enter information and interact with the refilling station  10  when necessary. The onboard computer  14  is programmed to provide the operation of the display  34  and control the components and operation of the refilling machine  10 . 
     The cartridge loading area  12  is the location where the user loads the empty or near empty cartridge onto the refilling station  10  prior to refilling. The cartridge loading area is also located on the front of the refilling station  10  in a setting that is convenient for the customer. A shelf  36  can be provided for the customer&#39;s convenience to place the cartridge before loading or to place other items such as a purse or wallet. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge loading area  12  consists of multiple door assemblies  38  at the front of the cartridge refilling station  10 . Each door assembly is spring loaded so that once the proper door is established, a signal is sent and the door opens. The customer then inserts an empty cartridge into the tray or slot in the door assembly  38 , and pushes the door closed, which based on the configuration of the door assembly, properly locates the empty cartridge. The cartridge is then ready to be accessed and refilled. 
       FIG. 3  shows a door assembly  38  for the cartridge loading area  12  with a cartridge  40  already inserted into the slot  42  for refilling. The door assembly utilizes springs  44  at the bottom pin  46  in order to put pressure on the door assembly  38  to swing open at the hinged end, preferably at the bottom of the door.  FIG. 4  shows a side view of an empty door assembly  38 . The slot  42 , which will vary in size, will accept certain sized cartridges, while the pin  46  and the springs  44  connect the door assembly to the cartridge loading area  12  of the refilling station  10 . 
     The door is kept shut using a solenoid and magnet assembly  48  such that when the door is closed, the magnet attracts and keeps the door closed. When the door is to be opened, the solenoid is charged and the magnet is retracted away from the door. Once the magnet is removed, the spring  44  forces the door assembly  38  open. A viscous lubricant or some other damper (not shown) is used to prohibit the door assembly from opening up to quickly. 
     As described above, multiple doors assemblies  38  are used in the cartridge refilling station  10  for the many different types and sizes of cartridges. Although there are numerous ink cartridges, many have a similar size and configuration so that one door assembly  38  may be used on a number of different cartridges, thus reducing the number of door assemblies needed. Also, many cartridge manufacturers use different designs and different configurations then their competitors, especially the configuration at the top of each cartridge. As such, one manufacturer&#39;s cartridge may not fit into the competitor&#39;s printer. The present invention works without the need to access the top of the cartridge and thus cartridges with similar configurations but differently designed tops can still be placed into the same door assembly. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each door assembly will allow for the refilling of cartridges of a similar size and configuration. For example, four door assemblies may be used for filling a great majority of the different cartridges in existence. Obviously, more (or less) doors can be utilized. 
     Each door assembly  38  contains a tray  50  in which the slot  42  is located. Each tray  50  contains a pin  52  (shown on the facing side of the tray  50  in  FIG. 4 ) for directing the tray  50  into the proper location when the door assembly  38  is closed. The door assembly  38  also contains a locating groove  54  that, based on the pin  52  running inside the groove  54 , locates the tray  50  and thus the empty cartridge into the proper position to make contact for refilling. 
       FIGS. 5   a  through  5   d  show the door assembly  38  in operation. Once an empty cartridge  40  is placed in the slot or opening  42  in the tray  50 , the door assembly  38  is ready to be closed. As the door assembly  38  is closed ( 5   a ), the pin  52  (shown on the opposite side of the tray  50 ), which is located in the locating groove  54 , forces the leading end of the tray  50  downward as it hinges from the door itself. As the door assembly is closed further ( 5   b  and  5   c ), the tray  50  and thus the cartridge  40  are further forces downward and placed into position to make contact with the wall. Finally, as the door assembly is closed completely ( 5   d ), the cartridge comes to rest in the correct position for accessing the electrical contacts and print nozzles for refilling. 
     Once the cartridge is properly located, both the contacts and the print nozzles on the empty cartridge can be accessed during the refilling procedure. As an example, the Lexmark 75 black ink cartridge has approximately 540 nozzles and 28 contacts and proper alignment both for the nozzles and the contacts is necessary for proper refilling.  FIG. 6  shows a side cutaway view of the refilling station  10  at the location where the empty cartridge  40  comes to a rest after the door assembly  38  is closed. The wall  56  where the cartridge comes to rest is made up of an insulator material, such as Delrin, and allows for pins and other electrical components to be placed near the cartridge without creating short circuits. A cartridge present switch  58  is located in the wall such that when a cartridge  40  is present, the switch  58  will be depressed and the refilling station computer  14  will know that a cartridge  40  is present. Further, spring loaded contact pins  60  are located at the insulated wall  56 , such that when the cartridge  40  is present, the pins  60  make contact with the contacts located on the cartridge (not shown). Once contact is made, a signal can be sent from or to the cartridge module printed circuit board  62  for driving, detecting, testing and communicating with the cartridge  40 . 
     The printer nozzles (not shown) must also be properly accessed so that the empty cartridge  40  can be refilled with ink. In order to contact the printer nozzles for refilling, once the door is closed and the cartridge is in its proper place, a printer nozzle interface  64 , which is arranged in a pair of guides  66 , slides vertically up and down by a stepper motor  68  (or the like) to make intimate contact with the cartridge print nozzles. The print nozzle interface is made up of a machined plastic block  70  with an integrated hose  72  that is connected to the ink distribution system for removing and discarding ink or refilling the cartridge with new ink. When the printer nozzle interface  64  is moved into place by the motor  68 , a pressure-tight seal is created which allows for the transfer of ink out of and into the cartridge. A stop  74  is located at the top where the door closes in order to keep downward pressure on the cartridge during the refilling process. 
     With this configuration the chance of an improper connection is reduced.  FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment to the door assembly  38 . Instead of a door automatically opening to allow the customer to place the empty cartridge in, the customer can be prompted to insert an empty cartridge into a receiving block  76  such that proper connections are made between the printer nozzles and the electrical contacts. The receiving block  76  can be configured such that the cartridge  40  will snap and lock into the proper position against the contacts and the printer nozzles. 
     Instead of the customer inserting the cartridge  40  against the contacts and printer nozzles, the receiving block  76  may be configured to utilize a printer nozzle interface  64  that is moved into place after the customer inserts the cartridge  40 . In that event, a stop  74  may be used to keep downward pressure on the cartridge  40  as the printer nozzle interface  64  is moved into place as described above. 
     Once the empty cartridge is properly located in the cartridge refilling station  10  a computer program located in the computer  14  prompts the user to enter the proper information about the empty cartridge  40  in order to begin the refill process. As described above, the preferred embodiment for prompting the user is to use a computer with an algorithm that allows the user to enter the information through the touch-screen display  34 , although various input/output (I/O) devices can be used to enter the information. The display  34  allows the user to input information including the type of cartridge to be refilled and information about the user such as name and address. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the touch-screen display  34 , located at the front of the cartridge refilling station  10 , is used to provide the user with instructions in order to refill the cartridge. The display  34  can also provide information to the user while the cartridge is being refilled, such as how many more times the cartridge can be refilled before it must be replaced, and other various error messages. Further, the monitor can provide advertisements to the user as described below, depending on the user, the type of cartridge and various other factors. 
     The cartridge refilling station  10  also contains a credit card reader  78  located at the front of the station  10  and shown in  FIG. 2 . The credit card reader  78  allows the user to make payment for refilling the cartridge. The refilling station  10  is connected to and communicates with a remote computer (not shown), either through its telephone line or Internet connection, so that the credit card information can be verified as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. The refilling station  10  may also contain a drawer  80  for accepting cash from the user and dispensing change accordingly. Because the refilling station  10  is connected to a remote computer, modifying the refilling pricing is easily accomplished. 
     The cartridge refilling station  10  also contains a printer  82 , which is capable of printing a credit card or cash receipt for the purchase of the ink. Further, if the user decides to purchase other items, for example, based on the advertisements, a receipt can also be printed for that particular purchase. 
     The cartridge refilling station  10  may also contains a detector  84 , such as an infra-red or motion detector, to detect when a user or potential user approaches the cartridge refilling station  10 . Once detected, the user can be told about the various functions of the cartridge refilling station  10  or can be shown other advertising. The cartridge refilling station  10  also contains a speaker or multiple speakers  86  for audibly instructing the user (for example how much time is left to refill the cartridge), playing music to pass the time, advertising the cartridge refilling station  10  functions or other products or services, or any combination of these functions. 
     The computer  14  controls the overall operation of the cartridge refilling station  10 . The computer  14  consists of a microprocessor, memory (usually Random Access Memory or RAM and Read-Only Memory or ROM), and various I/O devices such as the touch-screen display  34 , a CD ROM or DVD reader, a keyboard, and mouse (not shown). As with most computer systems, the microprocessor, memory and the various I/O devices are integrated into the computer  14 . Various programs can be loaded into the memory of the computer  14  to provide control of the system, video display for the user, prompting the entry of information, etc. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the computer  14  is the Global American model 2907257. However, many different computers can be used to control the overall operation of the cartridge refilling station  10  as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Another important aspect of the computer  14  is its communication system. In the preferred embodiment the computer  14  will be connected through cabling  28  or wirelessly  30  to the Internet  26  or to an Intranet as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Once connected, or on-line, many more functions of the cartridge refilling station  10  are capable. At the outset, the programs to run the cartridge refilling station  10  can be downloaded into memory, However, access to the Internet may be necessary to upgrade the programs running the refilling station  10  at a later date. Further, if during use information about a particular empty cartridge is not in the computer memory or database, the cartridge refilling station  10  can go search for the information about that particular cartridge on-line. Also as described above, the cartridge refilling station may display advertisements to the user while the cartridge is being refilled. 
     Instead of installing the advertisements using the CD-ROM reader or storing into the computer memory, the refilling station  10  can download the video over the Internet  26 . Further, once the information about the user is known, the cartridge refilling station  10  may access different advertisements for that particular user. The decision about which advertisements will be displayed may occur off-site at a remote location and the video will be streamed or downloaded over the Internet  26 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge refilling station  10  will be also connected through an Intranet for security and privacy reasons as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Further, using the Internet or an Intranet the cartridge refilling station  10  can communicate about its various conditions. For example, if the bottle of blue ink is running low and needs to be replaced, the cartridge refilling station  10  can transmit that information either to an individual in the same location as the cartridge refilling station  10 , or to a remote location, so that some action can be taken, i.e., refill the blue ink bottle. The same communication may be necessary when the ink discard bottle becomes full. 
       FIG. 8  shows the backside of the refilling station  10 . In order to accomplish the refilling procedure, the refilling station  10  uses the computer  14 , the electronics section  16  and the ink distribution section  18 . The electronics section  16  and the ink distribution section  18  consist of a programmable logic controller or PLC  88 , such as the Mitsubishi FX-2N, an analog module  90 , cartridge module printed circuit boards  62 , a vacuum selector  92 , pressure sensors  94 , vacuum sensor  96 , vacuum pumps  98 , such as the Barnant model 16.8 ml peristaltic vacuum pump, a vacuum reservoir  100 , ink supplies  102 , cleaning fluid,  104 , waste supply  106 , and the ink detector pc boards (not shown). Further, the refilling system includes wiring harnesses (not shown) to connect the various components to each other and to electrical power, and hoses or tubes (not shown) to transfer the ink from and to the cartridge  40 . 
     The computer  14  controls the overall operation, however, the PLC  88  controls the vacuum selector and ink waste selector for each of the colors, cyan, magenta and yellow, and for black. Further, the outputs from the pressure sensors  94  are transmitted to the PLC  88 . Also, the vacuum sensor  96  can be used to sense a vacuum as described below, and based on an understanding of the particular cartridge can provide a virtual measurement of the cartridge. 
     The peristaltic vacuum pumps  98  and tubing is used to transport the new and used ink from and to the containers. Six pumps  98  are used in the preferred embodiment to refill the empty ink cartridges. One pump  98  is used for each of the colors, black, cyan, magenta and yellow, and separate pumps are used for the cleaning fluid and for the waste. The pumps are connected from each bottle corresponding to the colored ink and the waste and cleaning fluid through a vacuum selector  92  which can connect the vacuum pump  98  (for filling, emptying or cleaning) to each of the stations. So for example, if it is determined that a yellow ink cartridge has been placed in refilling area  2 , the vacuum selector  92  will first select the pump  98  for discarding waste from the cartridge in that area. The remaining ink will then be removed from the cartridge and transferred to the waste receptacle  108 . Then, the yellow ink container  102  will be selected and yellow ink will be pumped into the empty cartridge  40 . Once full, the pumps  98  will be turned off and the user will be notified that the cartridge can be removed. 
     Further, various sensors are used during the refilling operation to obtain information about the ink distribution system  18 , etc. Each ink supply contains a pressure sensor  94  and a vacuum sensor  96  for sensing when a vacuum is or is not present in the lines. Also, a vacuum selector  92  is used to connect the vacuum to the various lines when needed as described below. 
     Accordingly the cartridge refilling station  10  enables a consumer or user with minimal or no training to easily install an empty or near empty inkjet cartridge, such as those used in printers, copiers and facsimile machines, onto the fully automatic cartridge refilling machine or station  10  for refilling the empty cartridge. The user is then able to operate the station  10  to refill the empty cartridge by reading, viewing and following the instructions as they appear on a touch-screen display  34 , which is integrated into the refilling station  10 , and then responding accordingly. 
       FIGS. 9   a - 9   c  show a flow chart for the preferred method of operation of the inkjet cartridge refilling station  10 . As described above and with references to the previous figures, the refilling station  10  contains an infrared motion sensor  84  that senses a customer approaching. The sensor  84  is connected to a PLC  88  that is in turn connected to a computer  14 , which contains a touch-screen input and display  34  among other features. These devices are connected and programmed such that when the system does not detect a customer, it will run a video presentation program on its screen to attract potential customers or to advertise its services or other products or services. This is shown as box  510  in  FIG. 9 . 
     However, the action of a person approaching the unit  520  causes the main computer to run a video presentation program located in the main computer wherein either a live-action, animated, or computer-generated actor invites the approaching “customer” to refill an inkjet cartridge. The program can also be located remotely and accessed via a network, such as the Internet  26 , through either a wired  28  or wireless  30  connections. 
     The customer can be presented with various displays and choices, such as receiving more information  530 , proceeding with the refill operation  550 , or just viewing advertisements for the refilling machine or for other products and services  560 . These choices are presented as areas on the screen  34  that are touch-sensitive, and so enable the PC&#39;s program to be directed by action of the customer. If the customer touches a “more information” button, a presentation explaining the operation of the machine for refilling inkjet cartridges is displayed on the screen  540 . If the customer chooses to proceed with the refilling of an inkjet cartridge, it is assumed that the customer has an empty inkjet cartridge ready for refilling, the business logos corresponding to the several inkjet cartridge manufacturers are displayed on the screen. The customer is asked to touch the area of the screen displaying the manufacturer&#39;s logo for the cartridge that the customer wishes to refill  580 . 
     Since each manufacture has multiple cartridges, the customer must select the exact inkjet cartridge to be refilled. The program retrieves a list of cartridges produced by the selected manufacturer from its memory (or over the Internet). This list is presented as a set of touch-zones on the display  34  and the customer is asked to select the one that matches the cartridge to be refilled  590 . 
     Upon selection, the computer  14  displays on its screen  34  the price for the refilling service  600 . The customer is asked to insert a credit card into a credit card reader  78  on the face of the machine as a form of payment  610 . Of course, the refilling machine  10  can be configured to accept cash through a slot  80 , debit cards or other forms of payment  610 . The reader reads and sends the credit card information to the computer  14 . The computer  14  through a connection to a telephone line  32  executes the protocols required to dial a payment processor and verify that the card is acceptable as a form of payment  620 . The actual debit is delayed pending successful completion of the refilling service. If the card is not validated the session is terminated  630  and a non-authorization message is displayed  640 . 
     If the card is valid, the computer  14  through its connection to the PLC  88  and to a door latch mechanism  48  causes a door assembly  38  on the front of the refilling station  10  to open  650 . The door assembly being horizontally hinged  44  at its bottom opens by action of its top rotating toward the customer. A tray  50  having an opening  42  that conforms to the girth of the cartridge  40  is attached to the inside of the door assembly  38  and by its mechanical arrangement travels with the door as it opens. The opening  42  in the tray  50  being exposed, the computer  14  displays a demonstration video that instructs the customer how to insert the cartridge  40  into the opening  42  and push the door assembly  38  closed  660 . 
     By the action of closing the door assembly  38 , the cartridge  40  is guided using a guide pin  52  and track  54  and locates firmly into precise position. When the empty cartridge  40  moves into the proper position, the electrical contacts feature of the cartridge is forced into mating with an array of spring-loaded electrical contact pins  60 . These pins  60  are connected to an arrangement of electronic circuitry  62  that by its connections and program is capable of manipulating the cartridge&#39;s internal circuitry. As it moves into proper position the cartridge  40  also depresses and activates a sensor switch  58  that is connected to an arrangement of electronic circuitry that in turn signals the computer  14  that the insertion has occurred. The refilling system  10  tests if the cartridge is properly seated  670  and requests the user to try again if it is not properly seated  680 . 
     On receipt of the signal, the computer  14  executes a sequence of commands to the cartridge electronics to run a program that tests the electrical circuits of the cartridge  690 . If the test result indicates that the cartridge is not electrically viable  700 , the session is terminated  710 , an error message is displayed  720 , the cartridge door assembly  38  is opened so the cartridge can be removed  730 , and a sales program can be performed  740  to allow the user to purchase another cartridge  740 . 
     Alternatively, if the cartridge  40  is electrically viable, the computer  14  issues a command to the PLC  88  and peripheral-equipment connections begin the sequence of operations necessary to refill the cartridge. 
     Below the cartridge  88 , a printer nozzle interface  64 , which consists of a machined plastic block mounted in a pair of guides  66  arranged that it may slide on its vertical axis in and out of a position abutting the nozzle-plate feature of the cartridge  750 . The block  64  is constructed such that its upper surface comprises a compliant “mouth” that by its rising motion, the block  64  is driven into intimate contact such that a pressure-tight seal is accomplished with the nozzle-plate feature of the cartridge. The mouth enclosing a connection for the free flow of liquid or air between it and a hose-port  72  upon the back face of the block  64  is in turn connected to a selector valve. 
     The valve is electrically connected to and controlled by the PLC  88  to select between vacuum or ink sources at the nozzle plate of the cartridge  40 . The block  64  being mechanically affixed at its lower surface to a linear-acting stepper motor  68  that is in turn connected electrically to the PLC  88  enables the PLC  88  by its program to drive the mouth into contact with the nozzle-plate component of the ink-jet cartridge. 
     The PLC  88  through its connections to an electrically operated vacuum distribution valve and a peristaltic vacuum pump  98 , selectively powers a pump/valve arrangement such that a vacuum is presented at the cartridge nozzle plate  770 . As a result, unused ink that remained in the cartridge flows out of the cartridge through its nozzle plate, the mouth, carriage block, connecting hose, selector valve (which is in the “vacuum-selected” position), through the pump and into a waste container  106 . The operation continues until the PLC  88 , through its electrical connection to a vacuum sensor connected in the vacuum line detects a drop in vacuum  780  indicating the cartridge is empty, terminates it  790 . 
     The PLC  88  through its connections to the vacuum/ink valve and a peristaltic ink pump  98  selectively 800 powers a pump/valve arrangement  810  such that ink is drawn from a supply reservoir or bottle  102  through the hose, the peristaltic pump, the selector valve, the carriage block, the mouth, and into the cartridge. This operation persists for a period of time  820  that corresponds to the amount of ink that the subject cartridge can hold and the delivery-rate specification of the pump. When the period of time  820  ends, the system  10  deactivates the pump  870 . 
     The fill-time is programmed into the computer  14  and loaded into the PLC  88  by its connection to the computer  14  at system power-up. The PLC through its electrical connection to a pressure sensor that is connected in the ink-supply path is able to monitor ink supply pressure. In the event that “over” or “under” reading of ink-supply pressure  830  is detected by the PLC  88 , the operation is terminated  840 , an error message  850  is sent to the user and the cartridge door is opened  860 . At this time, the sales program  740  can also be displayed. 
     Upon termination of the fill process the PLC  88  by its program and through its connections selectively powers a pump/valve arrangement  880  such that a vacuum is presented at the nozzle/mouth interface. Concurrently the PLC  88  causes the carriage to retract slowly away from the cartridge  890  thus severing the intimate contact between the mouth and nozzle plate and drawing any latent ink into the mouth and ultimately into the waste-ink container  106 . The pump  98  is then deactivated  900 . Retraction continues for a predetermined time such that the mouth is surely clear of the nozzle plate. 
     The program transmits a signal to release the door assembly  38  thus revealing the cartridge  910 . The PLC  88  communicates to the computer  14  that the refilling procedure is complete and whether it was completed successfully or not  920 . The PC displays a video that informs the customer of the success  970  or failure  930  of the refilling procedure. If the system  10  failed to refill the cartridge, a refund is made if necessary  940  and the error message is displayed and printed  950 . At this time, the computer  14  can run a sales program  960 . If the system successfully refills the cartridge, it instructs the customer to remove the cartridge and close the door, inquires whether the customer would like to refill another cartridge  1000 , and presents “yes” and “no” touch-activated buttons for the customer to touch in response. In the case of a “yes” answer the process described is repeated  1010 . Alternatively an accounting is made by the computer  14  in its program of the total dollar amount for the refilling services provided. The computer  14  resumes its connection to the payment processor and debits the credit card account previously presented  980 . The system then prints a receipt  990 . 
     Having completed the service transaction, and if no more refilling is requested, the PC returns to the attract mode  1020 , and is re-armed to detect the approach of a potential customer by its infrared motion sensor  84 . 
     Thus, while the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are modifications, substitutions and other changes that can be made, yet will still fall within the intended scope of the invention.