Abstract:
In one embodiment a cartridge holder includes: a body having a plurality of bays therein for holding a cartridge and each bay having an electrical connector associated therewith for connecting to a chip; an adapter removably attachable to the body at a bay, the adapter having a site for a chip at a location where a chip installed at the chip site is connected to a connector in the bay when the adapter is attached to the body; and each bay configured to hold: without an adapter attached to the body at the bay, a first cartridge having a first shape and a chip thereon, and, with the adapter attached to the body at the bay, a second cartridge having a second shape different from the first shape and the second cartridge not having a chip thereon.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Many types of printers use cartridges to hold marking material such as ink or toner. These cartridges are known by a variety of names including ink cartridges, inkjet cartridges, print cartridges, pens, or toner cartridges. Multiple cartridges of various colors or marking material type may exist in a single printer. So called “chipped” cartridges carry an integrated circuit chip which connects to the printer controller through connections in the carriage. The chip may identify various features of the cartridge to the printer in which the cartridge is installed. It may be a disadvantage when a printer designed for using chipped cartridges cannot also use non-chipped cartridges. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an inkjet printer. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cartridge holder, such as might be used in the printers of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which a single adapter is used for installing a set of non-chipped print cartridges. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a cartridge holder, such as might be used in the printers of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which an individual adapter is used for installing each non-chipped print cartridge. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial side elevation section view showing one example of a conventional installation for a chipped print cartridge. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation section view showing one example of a new installation for a non-chipped print cartridge. 
       FIG. 7  is a detail perspective view of one embodiment of an adapter and non-chipped print cartridges. 
       FIG. 8  is a side by side comparison of a chipped print cartridge and one embodiment of a new non-chipped print cartridge. 
   

   Part number lead lines with arrows are sometimes used in the drawings to designate an assembly or another part for which multiple features or elements are described. 
   DESCRIPTION 
   Embodiments of the invention were developed in an effort to allow an inkjet printer designed for using chipped ink cartridges to also use non-chipped ink cartridges. Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, therefore, with reference to an inkjet printer. The invention, however, is not limited to use with inkjet printers or ink cartridges. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in other printers or other processing devices which use replaceable cartridges. Hence, the following description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims that follow the description. 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an inkjet printer  10  in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. Referring to  FIG. 1 , printer  10  includes print cartridges  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 , a cartridge holder  12 , a print media transport mechanism  24 , an input/output device  26 , and an electronic printer controller  28  connected to each of the operative components of printer  10 . Each print cartridge  14 - 22  may include one or more ink holding chambers and a printhead (not shown). An inkjet printhead is typically a small electromechanical assembly that contains an array of miniature thermal, piezoelectric or other devices that are energized or activated to eject small droplets of ink out of an associated array of nozzles. A typical thermal inkjet printhead, for example, includes a nozzle plate arrayed with ink ejection nozzles and firing resistors formed on an integrated circuit chip positioned behind the ink ejection nozzles. The ink ejection nozzles are usually arrayed in columns along the nozzle plate. In operation, when controller  28  selectively energizes a firing resistor in the printhead a vapor bubble forms in the ink vaporization chamber, ejecting a drop of ink through a nozzle on to the print media  30 . 
   Print cartridges  14 - 22  may include a series of stationary cartridges or printheads that span the width of print media  30 . Alternatively, cartridges  14 - 22  may include one or more cartridges that scan back and forth on a movable holder (called a carriage)  12  across the width of media  30 . Other cartridge configurations are possible. A movable carriage  12  for cartridges  14 - 22  may include a guide along which the carriage moves, a drive motor, and a belt and pulley system that moves the carriage along the guide. Media transport  24  advances print media  30  lengthwise past cartridges  14 - 22  and the associated printheads. For stationary cartridges  14 - 22 , media transport  24  may advance media  30  continuously past cartridges  14 - 22 . For scanning cartridges  14 - 22 , media transport  24  may advance media  30  incrementally past cartridges  14 - 22  and associated printheads, stopping as each swath is printed and then advancing media  30  for printing the next swath. 
   Controller  28  communicates with external devices through input/output device  26 , including receiving print data for inkjet imaging. The presence of an input/output device  26 , however, does not preclude the operation of printer  10  as a stand alone unit. Controller  28  controls the movement of carriage  12  and media transport  24 . Controller  28  is electrically connected to cartridges  14 - 22  to selectively energize the firing resistors, for example, to eject ink drops on to media  30  in a print zone. By coordinating the relative position of cartridges  14 - 22  with media  30  and the ejection of ink drops, controller  28  produces the desired image on media  30 . 
     FIG. 2  is perspective view, of an inkjet printer  32 , such as might be used for printer  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , printer  32  includes a cover (not shown) and a housing  34 . The cover is removed in  FIG. 2  to expose the operative components of printer  32 . A sheet media tray  36  is positioned at the bottom of printer  32  along an opening in housing  34 . Paper or other print media sheets are stacked in tray  36  for input to printer  32  and printed sheets are output back over tray  36 . A supporting surface  38  helps suspend the trailing edge of the printed sheets over tray  36 . Printer  32  includes a chassis  40  that supports the operative components of printer  32 . Chassis  40  represents generally those parts of housing  34  along with other structurally stable elements in printer  32  that support the operative components of printer  32 . A movable carriage  42  is driven back and forth along a guide rail  44  mounted to chassis  40 . Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to move carriage  42 . A reversing motor (not shown) coupled to carriage  42  through a belt and pulley system (not shown), for example, is one drive mechanism commonly used in inkjet printers. 
   Print cartridges  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  are held in carriage  42 . Cartridges  46 - 54  are positioned along a media path such that each sheet of print media passes directly under cartridges  46 - 54  at a print zone. As described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the bottom of each cartridge  46 - 54  which faces the media sheet, includes an array of nozzles through which drops of ink are ejected onto the media sheet. Print cartridges  14 - 22  in  FIG. 1  and print cartridges  46 - 54  in  FIG. 2  represent chipped or non-chipped cartridges as described in detail below. An electronic printer controller  56  receives print data from a computer, scanner, digital camera or other image generating device. Also, controller  56  may itself generate print data, as well as store pre-programmed print data. Controller  56  controls the movement of carriage  42  back and forth across a media sheet (not shown) and the advance of the media sheet along a media path. Printer controller  56  is also electrically connected to ink cartridges  46 - 54  through, for example, a flexible ribbon cable  58 . For printing, as carriage  42  carries cartridges  46 - 54  across the media sheet, printer controller  56  selectively activates ink ejection elements in cartridges  46 - 54  according to print data to eject ink drops through the nozzles onto the media sheet. By combining the movement of carriage  42  across the media sheet with the movement of the media sheet along the media path, controller  56  causes cartridges  46 - 54  to eject ink onto the media sheet to form the desired print image 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a cartridge holder  60  such as might be used as holder  12  in  FIG. 1  and in carriage  42  in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , holder  60  may be used to hold chipped cartridges  62   a,    64   a,    66   a,    68   a  and  70   a  or non-chipped cartridges  62   b,    64   b,    66   b,    68   b  and  70   b.  Each chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  is installed directly into a bay  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  and  80  in a body  82  of holder  60 . Each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  is installed in a bay  72 - 80  using an adapter  84 . Adapter  84  may be alternately inserted into body  82  for installing non-chipped cartridges  62   b - 70   b  and removed from body  82  for installing chipped cartridges  62   a - 70   a.  In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a single adapter  84  is used for installing all non-chipped cartridges  62   b - 70   b.  The shape of each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  is modified relative to the shape of a chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  to fit properly into the corresponding bay  72 - 80  with adapter  84  installed in holder body  82 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  in which the adapter  84  includes an L shaped piece that fits into the rear of body  82 , each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  is recessed and shortened, compared to a chipped cartridge, to fit into the corresponding bay  72 - 80  with adapter  84  installed in body  82 . 
   A chip  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  on each chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  is electronically connected to the printer controller through a set of electrical contacts (not shown) in bays  72 - 80  when cartridges  62   a - 70   a  are installed in holder body  82 . A chip  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104  on adapter  84  at the location of each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  is electronically connected to the printer controller through the electrical contacts in bays  72 - 80  when adapter  84  is installed in body  82 . “Chip” as used in this document means an integrated or other electronic circuit that may be used to store information. Each chip  86 - 94  and  96 - 104  contains information that may be read and used by the controller in the operation of the printer, including for example the status of the cartridge (e.g., new or used), the amount of ink remaining in the cartridge, the color of the ink, or the type of ink. As discussed in more detail below with regard to  FIGS. 5-6 , a site  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114  on each chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  at the location of each chip  86 - 94  corresponds to the location of the electrical contacts in body  82 . Similarly, a site  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  and  124  on adapter  84  at the location of each chip  96 - 104  corresponds to the location of the electrical contacts in body  82 . In one example application for a holder  60 , when the ink or other marking material in a chipped print cartridge  62   a - 70   a  is depleted, the original chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  may be replaced with a non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  using adapter  84 . Chips  96 - 104  on adapter  84  may include new chips installed on adapter  84  or used chips removed from the depleted chipped cartridges  62   a - 70   a  and re-installed on adapter  84 . 
   In an alternative embodiment of holder  60  shown in  FIG. 4 , individual adapters  84   a,    84   b,    84   c,    84   d  and  84   e  allow holder  60  to be used with chipped cartridges, non-chipped cartridges, or a combination of chipped cartridges and non-chipped cartridges.  FIG. 4  shows a non-chipped cartridge  70   b  (corresponding to a larger, black ink cartridge) installed in bay  80  using adapter  84   e.  Individual adapters  84   a - 84   e  allow the replacement of depleted individual chipped cartridges with full non-chipped cartridges (and vice versa), as the individual cartridges are depleted of ink without regard to the fill level of other cartridges in holder  60 . Other configurations for the adapter are possible. For example, a pair of adapters might be used in which one of the adapters corresponds to a non-chipped black ink cartridge and the other adapter corresponds to a set of non-chipped color ink cartridges. 
     FIG. 5  is a partial side elevation section view showing the installation of a chipped cartridge  62   a  in a bay  72  in holder  60 .  FIG. 5  illustrates one example of a conventional installation for a chipped ink cartridge.  FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation section view showing the installation of a non-chipped cartridge  62   b  in bay  72  in holder  60  with an adapter  84  or  84   a.    FIG. 6  illustrates one example of a new installation for a non-chipped ink cartridge. Referring first to  FIG. 5 , this section of body  82  of holder  60  is typical of each bay  72 - 80 . Body  82  includes a floor  126  joined to a wall  128  at a junction  130 , forming a front part  132  of bay  72 . (“Front”, “rear” and other references to spatial orientation are taken from the perspective of a user facing the printer. “Front” and “rear”, for example, therefore, refer to a direction or part of the printer nearer the user and farther from the user, respectively.) An opening  134  in cartridge  62   a  and an associated opening  136  in floor  126  form a fluid interconnect  138  toward the rear of bay  72  through which ink may flow from cartridge  62   a  to a printhead or other downstream component in the printer. A stop  139  protruding from floor  126  helps properly position cartridge  62   a  in bay  72 . A tab  140  on a spring arm  142  on cartridge  62   a  engages a shelf  144  on wall  128  to help secure cartridge  62   a  in position in bay  72 . Contact pads (not shown) on chip  86  engage electrical connectors  146  in holder  60 . 
   The structural components of body  82  of holder  60  in  FIG. 6  are the same as those shown in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 6 , a non-chipped cartridge  62   b  is installed in bay  72  using a group adapter  84  or an individual adapter  84   a.  For convenience, a group adapter  84  is referenced in the following description.  FIG. 7  is a detail perspective view of just the adapter  84  and cartridges  66   b,    68   b  and  70   b.  Cartridges  62   b  and  64   b  are omitted from  FIG. 7  to better illustrate the structural features of adapter  84 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , adapter  84  includes a lower part  148  that extends rearward along floor  126  and mounts chips  96 - 104  at the location of chip sites  116 - 124 , an h-shaped middle part  150  that positions adapter  84  over stop  139 , and a recessed upper part  152  that clips over the top of wall  128 . The top of h-shaped middle part  150  forms a tab  154  that engages shelf  144  on wall  128  (like tab  142  of chipped cartridge  62   a  in  FIG. 5 ) to hold h-shaped middle part  150  over stop  139 . Adapter  84  is thus held in the correct position in body  82  of holder  60 . An L-shaped recess  156  along the bottom of each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  accommodates space within bay  72  occupied by adapter lower part  146 . Each non-chipped cartridge  62   b - 70   b  is a bit shorter than a chipped cartridge  62   a - 70   a  to accommodate space with bay  72  occupied by adapter middle part  150 . Tab  140  on cartridge spring arm  142  engages a shelf  158  formed by a U-shaped recess  160  ( FIG. 7 ) in the upper part  152  of adapter  84  to help hold cartridge  62   b  in position in body  72 . 
     FIG. 8  is a side by side comparison of a chipped print cartridge  62   a  and one embodiment of a new non-chipped print cartridge  62   b.  Referring to  FIG. 8 , chipped cartridge  62   a  includes chip  86  and an ink port  134  disposed along a generally flat bottom surface of the cartridge. Non-chipped cartridge  62   b  also includes an ink port  134  toward the front of the cartridge. The bottom of cartridge  62   b  is recessed (L-shaped recess  160 ) at the rear to accommodate the lower portion  148  of adapter  84  in the holder bay (as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). Non-chipped cartridge  62   b  is also a bit shorter than chipped cartridge  62   a  to accommodate the middle portion  150  of adapter  84  in the holder bay (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
   As noted at the beginning of this Description, the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. Other forms, details, and embodiments may be made and implemented. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.