Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to replaceable printing component for an ink-jet printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component includes an electrical storage device responsive to printing system control signals for transferring information between the printing component and the ink-jet printing system. The electrical storage device includes a tag family identifier for selecting a family of tags from a plurality of families of tags. Also included is a plurality of tags associated with replaceable consumable parameters. Each of the plurality of tags have a tag value associated therewith. Wherein the ink-jet printing system reads the tag family identifier from the electrical storage device to select the family of tags. Each tag of the plurality of tags read by the ink-jet printer is identified based on the selected family of tags and is used to identify the associated replaceable consumable parameter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ink-jet printing systems that make use of a replaceable printing component. More particularly, the present invention relates to replaceable printing components that include an electrical storage device for providing information to the ink-jet printing system. 
     Ink-jet printers frequently make use of an ink-jet printhead mounted within a carriage that is moved back and forth across a print media, such as paper. As the printhead is moved across the print media, a control system activates the printhead to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text. Ink is provided to the printhead by a supply of ink which is either carried by the carriage or mounted to the printing system to not move with the carriage. For the case where the ink supply is not carried with the carriage, the ink supply can be intermittently or continuously connected to the printhead for replenishing the printhead. In either case, the replaceable printing components, such as the ink container and the printhead, require periodic replacement. The ink supply is replaced when exhausted. The printhead is replaced at the end of printhead life. 
     It is frequently desirable to alter printer parameters concurrently with the replacement of printer components such as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/584,499 entitled “Replaceable Part With Integral Memory For Usage, Calibration And Other Data” assigned to the assignee of the present invention. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/584,499 discloses the use of a memory device, which contains parameters relating to the replaceable part. The installation of the replaceable part allows the printer to access the replaceable part parameters to insure high print quality. By incorporating the memory device into the replaceable part and storing replaceable part parameters in the memory device within the replaceable component the printing system can determine these parameters upon installation into the printing system. This automatic updating of printer parameters frees the user from having to update printer parameters each time a replaceable component is newly installed. Automatically updating printer parameters with replaceable component parameters insures high print quality. In addition, this automatic parameter updating tends to ensure the printer is not inadvertently damaged due to improper operation, such as, operating after the supply of ink is exhausted or operation with the wrong or non-compatible printer components. 
     It is important that the exchange of information between the printer and the replaceable printing component be accomplished in a highly reliable manner. This exchange of information should not require the intervention of the user thereby ensuring greater ease of use and greater reliability. Furthermore, it is important that the integrity of the information be preserved. In the event that the information associated with the replaceable component is corrupted in some manner, it is important that the printer be capable of identifying this data as corrupted. Furthermore, in the event that information is corrupted the printing system should be capable of continuing operation to the extent that print quality is not diminished or the printer is not damaged. Finally, it is important that the printing system have sufficient flexibility to accommodate improvements and additional printer parameters necessary to support these improvements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to replaceable printing component for an ink-jet printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component includes an electrical storage device responsive to printing system control signals for transferring information between the printing component and the ink-jet printing system. The electrical storage device includes a tag family identifier for selecting a family of tags from a plurality of families of tags. Also included is a plurality of tags associated with replaceable consumable parameters. Each of the plurality of tags has a tag value associated therewith. Wherein the ink-jet printing system reads the tag family identifier from the electrical storage device to select the family of tags. Each tag of the plurality of tags read by the ink-jet printer is identified based on the selected family of tags and is used to identify the associated replaceable consumable parameter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary ink-jet printing system, shown with the cover removed, that incorporates removable printing components of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B depicts a schematic representation of the ink-jet printing system shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a removable ink container and printhead each of which contain an electrical storage device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 depicts a schematic block diagram of the ink-jet printing system of FIG. 1 shown connected to a host and which includes a removable ink container and printhead each of which contain the electrical storage device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a representation of the electrical storage device of the present invention illustrating a data portion and a transaction record portion. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a method of the present invention for transferring data between the ink-jet printing system and a replaceable printing component. 
     FIG. 6 depicts a representation of a timing diagram illustrating a data transaction between the ink-jet printing system and a replaceable printing component. 
     FIG. 7 depicts a parameter tagging technique for identifying parameter values and data organization for the electrical storage device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 a  depicts an arrangement of parameter values according to the technique of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 b  depicts an improper arrangement of parameter values. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a method of reading replaceable printing component parameter values from the replaceable printing component. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an ink-jet printing system  10  of the present invention shown with its cover removed. The ink-jet printing system  10  includes a printer portion  12  having a plurality of replaceable printing components  14  installed therein. The plurality of replaceable printing components  14  include a plurality of printheads  16  for selectively depositing ink in response to control signals and a plurality of ink containers  18  for providing ink to each of the plurality of printheads  16 . Each of the plurality of printheads  16  is fluidically connected to each of the plurality of ink containers  18  by a plurality of flexible conduits  20 . 
     Each of the plurality of printheads  16  is mounted in a scanning carriage  22 , which is scanned past a print media (not shown) as the print media is stepped through a print zone. As the plurality of printheads are moved relative to the print media, ink is selectively ejected from a plurality of orifices in each of the plurality of the printheads  16  to form images and text. 
     One aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus for storing information on the replaceable printing components  14  for updating operation parameters of the printer portion  12 . An electrical storage device is associated with each of the replaceable printing components  14 . The electrical storage device contains information related to the particular replaceable printer component  14 . Installation of the replaceable printing component  14  into the printer portion  12  allows information to be transferred between the electrical storage device and the printing portion  12  to insure high print quality as well as to prevent the installation of non-compatible replaceable printing components  14 . The information provided from the replaceable printing component  14  to the printing portion  12  tends to prevent operation of the printing system  10  in a manner which damages the printing system  10  or which reduces the print quality. 
     Although the printing system  10  shown in FIG. 1 makes use of ink containers  18  which are mounted off of the scanning carriage  22 , the present invention is equally well suited for other types of printing system configurations. One such configuration is one where the replaceable ink containers  18  are mounted on the scanning carriage  22 . Alternatively, the printhead  16  and the ink container  18  may be incorporated into an integrated printing cartridge that is mounted to the scanning carriage  22 . Finally, the printing system  10  may be used in a wide variety of applications such as facsimile machines, postal franking machines, copiers and large format type printing systems suitable for use in displays and outdoor signage. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a simplified schematic representation of the ink-jet printing system  10  of the present invention shown in FIG.  1 . FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified to illustrate a single printhead  16  and a single ink container  18  for accomplishing the printing of a single color. For the case where more than one color is desired a plurality of printheads  16  are typically used each having an associated ink container  18  as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The ink-jet printing system  10  of the present invention includes a printer portion  12  having replaceable printing components  14 . The replaceable printing components  14  include a printhead  16  and an ink container  18 . The printer portion  12  includes an ink container receiving station  24  and a controller  26 . With the ink container  18  properly inserted into the ink container receiving station  24 , an electrical and a fluidic coupling is established between the ink container  18  and the printer portion  12 . The fluidic coupling allows ink stored within the ink container  18  to be provided to the printhead  16 . The electrical coupling allows information to be passed between the ink container  18  and the printer portion  12  to ensure the operation of the printer portion  12  is compatible with the ink contained in the ink container  18  thereby achieving high print quality and reliable operation of the printing system  10 . 
     The controller  26  controls the transfer of information between the printer portion  12  and the ink container  18 . In addition, the controller  26  controls the transfer of information between the printhead  16  and the controller  26 . Finally, the controller  26  controls the relative movement of the printhead  16  and the print media as well as selectively activating the printhead to deposit ink on print media. 
     The ink container  18  includes a reservoir  28  for storing ink therein. A fluid outlet  30  is provided that it is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir  28 . The fluid outlet  30  is configured for connection to a complimentary fluid inlet  32  associated with the ink container receiving station  24 . 
     The printhead  16  includes a fluid inlet  34  configured for connection to a complimentary fluid outlet  36  associated with the printing portion  12 . With the printhead  16  properly inserted into the scanning carriage  22  (shown in FIG. 1) fluid communication is established between the printhead and the ink container  18  by way of the flexible fluid conduit  20 . 
     Each of the replaceable printing components  14  such as the printhead  16  and the ink container  18  include an information storage device  38  such as an electrical storage device or memory  38  for storing information related to the respective replaceable printer component  14 . A plurality of electrical contacts  40  are provided, each of which is electrically connected to the electrical storage device  38 . With the ink container  18  properly inserted into the ink container receiving station  24 , each of the plurality of electrical contacts  40  engage a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts  42  associated with the ink container receiving station  24 . Each of the plurality of electrical contacts  42  associated with the ink container receiving station  24  are electrically connected to the controller  26  by a plurality of electrical conductors  44 . With proper insertion of the ink container  18  into the ink container receiving station  24 , the memory  38  associated with the ink container  18  is electrically connected to the controller  26  allowing information to be transferred between the ink container  18  and the printer portion  12 . 
     Similarly, the printhead  16  includes an information storage device  38  such as an electrical storage device associated therewith. A plurality of electrical contacts  40  are electrically connected to the electrical storage  38  in a manner similar to the electrical storage device  38  associated with the ink container  18 . With the printhead  16  properly inserted into the scanning carriage  22  the plurality of electrically contacts  40  engage a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts  42  associated with the printing device  12 . Once properly inserted into the scanning carriage, the electrical storage device  38  associated with the printhead  16  is electrically connected to the controller  26  by way of a plurality of electrical conductors  46 . 
     Although electrical storage devices  38  associated with each of the ink container  18  and the printhead  16  are given the same element number to indicate these devices are similar, the information stored in the electrical storage device  38  associated with the ink container  18  will, in general, be different from the information stored in the electrical storage device  38  associated with the printhead  16 . Similarly, the information stored in electrical storage device  38  associated with each ink container of the plurality of ink containers  18  will in general be different and unique to the particular ink container of the plurality of ink containers  18 . The particular information stored on each electrical storage device  38  will be discussed in more detail later. 
     FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of the printing system  10  of the present invention shown connected to an information source or host computer  48 . The host computer  48  is shown connected to a display device  50 . The host  48  can be a variety of information sources such as a personal computer, work station, or server to name a few, that provides image information to the controller  26  by way of a data link  52 . The data link  52  may be any one of a variety of conventional data links such as an electrical link or an infrared link for transferring information between the host  48  and the printing system  10 . 
     The controller  26  is electrically linked to the electrical storage devices  38  associated with each of the printhead  16  and the ink container  18 . In addition, the controller  26  is electrically linked to a printer mechanism  54  for controlling media transport and movement of the carriage  22 . This link may be a variety of different linkages such as electrical or optical linkage that supports information transfer. The controller  26  makes use of parameters and information provided by the host  48 , the memory  38  associated with the ink container  18  and memory  38  associated with the printhead  16  to accomplish printing. 
     The host computer  48  provides image description information or image data to the printing system  10  for forming images on print media. In addition, the host computer  48  provides various parameters for controlling operation of the printing system  10 , which is typically resident in printer control software typically referred to as the “print driver”. In order to ensure the printing system  10  provides the highest quality images it is necessary that the operation of the controller  26  compensate for the particular replaceable printer component  14  installed within the printing system  10 . It is the electric storage device  38  that is associated with each replaceable printer component  14  that provides parameters particular to the replaceable printer component  14  that allows the controller  26  to utilize these parameters to ensure the reliable operation of the printing system  10  and insure high quality print images. 
     Among the parameters, for example which can be stored in electrical storage device  38  associated with the replaceable printing component  14  are the following: actual count of ink drops emitted from the printhead  16 ; a date code associated with the ink container  18 ; date code of initial insertion of the ink container  18 ; system coefficients; ink type/color: ink container size; age of the ink; printer model number or identification number; cartridge usage information; just to name a few. 
     FIG. 4 is a representation of the memory device  38  that is used in conjunction with the controller  26  of the printing system  10  for ensuring data integrity for data transfers between the memory device  38  and the controller  26 . The memory device  38  is organized as an 8 bit by N memory where N represents the size of the memory device. Each individually addressable 8 bit memory location is represented by a range of address values from 0 to N−1. Although FIG. 4 is used is to illustrate some of the information stored in the memory device  38 , the memory device  38  may contain additional information not discussed. In addition, the location of the information in the memory device  38  may be different from those locations shown in FIG.  4 . It is important that the controller  26  in the printing system  10  know where at least some of the particular information is stored. 
     The memory device  38  includes a portion for storing data and a portion for storing a transaction record. The data portion contains various data that is related to the replaceable printing component  14 . The transaction record maintains a record of each transaction between the memory device  38  and the controller  26 . In the event that a transaction is interrupted before completion the transaction record can be used to restore the data lost in the interrupted transaction. Because the transaction record is retained in the replaceable printing component  14  then the data lost in the last transaction can be restored even if the replaceable printing component  14  is inserted into a different printing system. In the event the transaction is interrupted by a loss of power, once the power is restored the last transaction can be restored. In this manner, data integrity for the replaceable printing component  14  is maintained. 
     Memory address values 0 through N−7 contains data that includes various parameters relating to the replaceable printing component  14  and tag information. The tag information is used for identifying these various parameters and will be discussed with respect to FIG.  7 . 
     Memory address values N−4 through N−1 contain transaction record information. It is the use of the transaction technique of the present invention that ensures data transactions between the controller  26  and the memory  38  if corrupted can be corrected to insure the integrity of data transfer between the printer  10  and the replaceable printing component  14 . Because data transfers between the controller  26  and the memory device  38  may be interrupted; it is critical that some technique be used to insure data integrity. For example, in the case where the replaceable printing component  14  is the ink container  18 , it is possible to remove the ink container  18  while the controller  26  is transferring data to the memory  38 . If this data transfer is interrupted and data is lost then the integrity of the data is compromised. It is therefore important that there be some way of identifying when a data transaction between the controller  26  and the printing system  10  and the replaceable printing component  14  is not properly accomplished. If a transaction is not properly accomplished the transaction record provides a mechanism to recover this data that was lost in the interrupted transaction to preserve data integrity within the printing system  10 . 
     In addition to the data portion represented by address values 0 through N−7 and the transaction record portion represented by address values N−4 through N−1 there are several additional values that are stored in memory device  38  that will be discussed specifically. Memory address value N−7 contains family identification information, memory address value N−6 contains parity information and memory address value N−5 contains flag information. The family identification information will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG.  7 . 
     It is the parity information, the flag information, and the transaction record which are used together to preserve the integrity of data transfers between the controller  26  and the memory  38 . The transaction record portion includes an address byte, a new parity byte, two bytes of data designated data byte  1  and data byte  2 . The transaction record portion stores data that is subsequently written by the printing system  10  to the data portion. If the subsequent write to the data portion is interrupted, the transaction record is used to restore the contents of this interrupted data write. It will be helpful to first discuss the transaction record portion in more detail before explaining the technique of the present invention for preserving data integrity. 
     The address portion of the transaction record portion contains the address value of the first byte of data to be subsequently written into the data portion during a write transaction. The address value acts as a pointer that points to the memory address that is to be altered by the subsequent data write. The data byte  1  represents the data value that is to be written in the subsequent write transaction. Data byte  2  represents the data value that is to be written to the next sequential address following the address corresponding to data byte  1 . Therefore, the subsequent write transaction writes the value of data byte  1  to the address value of the pointer stored in the transaction record. The subsequent write transaction also writes the value of data byte 2 to the next sequential memory address value from the memory address value. Therefore, data byte  1  is placed in the address of the pointer and data byte  2  is placed in the address of the pointer plus one. 
     The new parity value within the transaction record portion represents a parity value to replace the parity byte in address N−6 after data byte  1  and data byte  2  are used to replace data in the data portion. The new parity value is determined by performing a parity function over the entire data area, and the contents of the transaction record portion so that after data in the data portion is replaced within data byte  1  and data byte  2  the parity is correct. Therefore, in the event of data loss during a transaction the data and parity is restored placing the memory in the same condition it would be in if the transaction was not interrupted. 
     The flag information stored in address value N−5 contains a flag value which indicates the state of the transaction record. One flag value is used to indicate that the transaction record is “busy” representing that new valid data has been recorded in the transaction record. Another flag value is used to indicate that the transaction record is “not busy” representing that either data is not valid in the transaction record or the data in the transaction record is not new data. 
     FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 will be used to illustrate the write transaction technique for preventing the corruption of data in the event the data transaction is interrupted. Data transfers from the printing system  10  to the replaceable printing component  14  are accomplished by the controller  26  which transfers data to memory  38 . This data transfer involves first writing to the transaction record in memory  38  as represented by step  56  in FIG.  5 . Writing to the transaction record includes writing up to two data bytes, the address byte or pointer and a new parity value to the transaction record portion of memory  38  as shown in FIG.  4 . The flag value stored in address value N−5 is updated to indicate that the transaction record has new or valid data as represented by step  58 . In addition, the flag indicates that the write operation to the transaction record was accomplished successfully. Next, data is written to the data portion represented by address values 0 through N−7 of the memory  38  as shown in step  60 . A new parity byte is written to the parity location value N−6 as represented by step  62 . The flag is then set to “not busy” as represented by step  64 . 
     Each write operation represented by steps  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  in FIG. 5 is verified by the printing system  10 . If write operation is not completed the write operation is repeated and again verified. If after a predetermined number of retries are attempted without verification of the write operation then the replaceable printing component  14  is defective. 
     If a write operation represented by steps  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64  is interrupted such as by the removal of the replaceable printing component  14  or a loss of power occurs then the printing system  10  can recover. If the write to the transaction record has not been completed then the printing system  10  can repeat this write operation. If the write to the data portion or the write to the parity byte is not completed then these values are restored using values from the transaction record. 
     FIG. 6 represents a simplified timing diagram of the write transaction method as discussed with respect to FIG.  5 . The timing diagram represents the state of each of the flag portion, and data portion of memory  38 . Interruptions in the transaction process that occur after the busy flag has been set but prior to the new data arriving to the data portion as represented by time T as shown in FIG. 6 can be recovered from the transaction record. 
     FIG. 7 represents the data organization of data in memory device  38 . One aspect of the present invention is the organization of data in the memory device  38  that ensures the integrity of data in the event that a single write transaction is corrupted. It is important that parameter values associated with the replaceable printing component  14  be sized and organized properly such that in the event that the sequence of transactions is interrupted, a parameter is not partially updated. This technique ensures that the replaceable printing component parameters are either updated completely or not updated at all. In the event that these parameters are not updated due to an interruption of the single transaction, then that transaction can be recovered using the transaction record to update those parameters completely. If data were corrupted without a means for recovering the integrity of the system would be compromised. 
     As discussed previously the memory device  38  is organized in bytes of data with each data byte containing eight individual bits of information. These bits of information are labeled values 0-7 in FIG. 7 with 0 being the least significant bit and bit  7  being the most significant bit. Each individual byte of data is addressable as represented by address values from 0−N in FIG.  7 . 
     A tagging scheme is used to identify or label stored data. The use of a tagging scheme provides greater flexibility in organizing data in the memory device  38 . The use of a tagging scheme allows greater flexibility in the location and size of data within the memory device  38 . In addition, the tagging scheme allows for new data values to be added for adding new features and improvements to the printing system while allowing for downward compatibility. For example, the replaceable printing component  14  may include data for providing a particular feature for new printers. Older printers that do not have that feature can still make use of the replaceable printing component  14  by simply ignoring the data associated with tags that the older printing system does not recognize. In this manner, number of versions of the replaceable printing component  14  is reduced, tending to reduce manufacturing costs of the replaceable printing component  14 . 
     The tagging scheme makes use of tag identifiers (IDs) that are selectively positioned in the data portion of memory device  38  to identify data parameters or data fields that are associated with each tag ID. In the preferred embodiment, the tag ID&#39;s are a 5-bit values identifying the data parameter values that follow. In addition to the tag ID a data length parameter is provided to identify the size of the data parameters associated with the tag ID. In the preferred embodiment, the data length parameter is a 3-bit value that identifies the number of bytes from 0 to 7 that follow. Therefore, if a particular tag is not recognized the printing system uses the data length value to determine where the next tag resides in the memory device  38 . This next tag is then read in to determine if this tag is recognized. If the tag is recognized, then the parameter values associated with that tag can be read in by the printing system  10 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, each tag ID is located on a byte boundary. Therefore, when reading the next tag ID it will always begin on the byte boundary. The parameter values associated with the tag ID do not have to start on byte boundaries. It is important that each parameter stored in the replaceable printing component  14  be updated in a single transaction to insure data integrity. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate how the parameter values are sized and arranged to insure data integrity in the memory device  38 . In the example shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B the tag ID identifies that the parameter values which follow are a 10 bit last usage date value, a 6 bit insertion count value, and an 8 bit page count value. Each of these parameter values are transferred between the printer and the replaceable printing component  14  using the write transaction technique previously discussed. The data is transferred two bytes at a time with the first transaction sends byte  1  and byte  2  which includes the last usage date parameter and the insertion count parameter and a second transaction sending byte  3  which includes the page count parameter. If either the first or second transaction is interrupted, no parameter values are partially updated because the parameters do not span more than one transaction. 
     In contrast, if the parameter values were sized and arranged such that the tag identifier indicated that the parameters were in a different order as shown in FIG. 8 b  then a different result occurs. For the case where the data values include a 10 bit last usage value, an 8 bit page count value then these values or parameters span more than one transaction between the replaceable printing component  14  and the printer. The page count parameter spans between byte  2  that is part of one transaction and byte  3  that is part of a different transaction. Therefore, 6 bits of the page count would be transmitted in one transaction and 2 bits of the page count together with insertion count would be transmitted on the second transaction. If the system would be interrupted at any time, the value of the page count parameter may be only partially updated and therefore provide an inaccurate value. It is essential that the parameter values not span more than one transaction to insure the integrity of the data in the printing system  10 . 
     The groupings of data bytes for each transaction can vary. It is important that whatever the grouping of data bytes that both the controller  26  and the memory device  38  both use the selected grouping. For example, in page mode 4 bytes of data are transferred for each transaction. The controller  26  requests data parameters in a specified order and the data parameters are sized and positioned so that no data parameter spans more than one transaction. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a method for reducing the size or number of bits required for the tag ID. Because the tag ID consumes space in the memory  38  as well as requires overhead in the transactions between the printing system  10  and the replaceable printing component  14  it is beneficial to reduce the size of the tag ID. 
     A family ID is provided with each memory device  38  as shown in FIG.  4 . The family ID is shown in address value N−7 only for illustrative purposes. The family ID in general will be in a memory location that is known to the printer control electronics  26 . In the preferred embodiment the family ID is a 5-bit value that identifies the particular family of replaceable printing component  14 . The printing system  10  uses this family ID to interpret the tag ID. This may be implemented by using a plurality of different Decodes with each Decode unique to a particular family ID. The printing system  10  selects the proper Decode based on family ID and then uses this Decode to decode or interpret each tag ID associated with that family. 
     In operation, the printing system  10  reads the family ID from the memory  38  as represented by step  68 . As represented by step  70  the printing system then selects the proper Decode from a plurality of different Decodes based on the family ID read in step  68 . The printer then reads the memory device  38  until it recognizes a tag ID value as represented by step  72 . This tag ID is decoded based on the Decode selected in step  70 . The Decoded tag ID identifies the data that follows the tag as represented by step  74 . This data is then read by the printing system  10  as represented by step  76 . The printing system  10  then jumps to the next tag ID as represented step  78  and reads this tag ID as represented by step  72 . This process continues until all of the tags and associated parameters have been read into the printing system. 
     In the case where the printing system  10  includes a plurality of replaceable printing components  14  as shown in FIG. 1, if each replaceable printing component parameter value required a unique tag ID, the tag ID field size would be very large if a separate family Decode for each family type was not used. This large tag ID would consume significantly more memory as well as require greater overhead in the transactions with the printing device. Therefore, there is a significant saving by providing a family ID and then interpreting the tag IDs based on this family ID. 
     Although the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment where the replaceable printing components  14  are the printhead portion  16  mounted on the print carriage  22  and the ink container  18  mounted in the receiving station  24  the present invention is suited for other printer configurations as well. For example, the printhead portion and the ink container portion may each be mounted on the printing carriage  22 . For this configuration each of the printhead portion and the ink container portion are separately replaceable. Each of the printhead portion and the ink container includes an electrical storage portion  38  for providing information to the printing portion  12 . Each of the ink containers of a plurality of ink containers may be separately replaceable or replaceable as an integrated unit. For the case where the plurality of ink containers is integrated into a single replaceable printing component  14  then only a single electrical storage portion  38  may be required for this single replaceable printing component  14 .