Abstract:
A mechanical key scheme is integrated into a composite pattern on both a print cartridge and its corresponding printer carriage chute. In a preferred embodiment the pattern incorporates a plurality of adjacent contiguous columns on both sides of a latch, with each column capable of defining multiple position bits in order to precisely differentiate between different types and/or different families of print cartridges.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to the following utility patent applications, each filed concurrently on Jan. 5, 2000: Ser. No. 09/477,645 by Ram Santhanam et al., entitled “Vent For An Ink-Jet Print Cartridge;” Ser. No. 09/477,646 by Ram Santhanam et al., entitled “Ink-Jet Printer Cartridge Having A Low Profile now U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,663;” Ser. No. 09/477,644 by Junji Yamamoto et al., entitled “Horizontally Loadable Carriage For An Ink-Jet Printer;” Ser. No. 09/477,649 by Junji Yamamoto et al., entitled “Method And Apparatus For Horizontally Loading And Unloading An Ink-Jet Print Cartridge From A Carriage;” Ser. No. 09/478,148 by Richard A. Becker et al., entitled “Techniques For Providing Ink-Jet Cartridges With A Universal Body Structure;” Ser. No. 09/477,843, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,920 by Ram Santhanam et al., entitled “Techniques For Adapting A Small Form Factor Ink-Jet Cartridge For Use In A Carriage Sized For A Large Form Factor Carriages, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,920;” Ser. No. 09/478,190 by James M. Osmus, entitled “Printer With A Two Roller, Two Motor Paper Delivery System;” Ser. No. 09/477,860 by Keng Leong Ng, entitled “Low Height Inkjet Service Station;” Ser. No. 09/477,648 by Matt Shepherd et al., entitled “New Method Of Propelling An Inkjet Printer Carriage;” and Ser. No. 29/116,564, now U.S. D439,925 by Ram Santhanam et al., entitled “Ink Jet Print Cartridge,” all of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to print cartridges mountable on printer carriages, and more specifically to mechanical techniques for preventing inkjet print cartridges from being used with non-compatible printers. 
     The ability to ship and store print cartridges prior to installation on a printer has many benefits to the manufacturer, distributor and user. Similarly the life of a printer can be extended by providing removable print cartridges as well as replaceable print cartridges. However, the proliferation of such removable and replaceable print cartridges has created many problems arising from inadvertent use of similar appearing print cartridges in non-compatible printer carriages. 
     Moreover the use of different types of inks, print media, and product implementations (facsimile machines, monochrome printers, color printers, copiers, multiple-function printers/fax/copiers, single chute carriages for holding different types of print cartridges, multiple chute carriages, cartridges capable of of carriage refill, cartridges capable of periodic on-carriage ink replenishment, continuous on-carriage ink replenishment systems) has created the need to differentiate between similar appearing print cartridges which have different intended uses. 
     The problems of maintenance and warranty have also become aggravated when similar appearing print cartridges have been customized under joint development agreements for different end use implementations, some of which require mounting on standard carriages which move across a print zone while others are mounted alone or in groups on stationary carriages. Value added resellers want assurances that general use print cartridges outside of their control cannot be inadvertently used in their customized printing systems. In order to be able to provide some guarantee of quality, availability, warranty, maintenance and support, there is a growing need to uniquely identify print cartridges as well as to uniquely identify printer carriages and individual carriage chutes in a simple mechanical way. Electronic identification systems tend to be more expensive and are sometimes less reliable than mechanical encoding systems. 
     Conventional label identification systems are extensively used but are often ignored by users and distributors, and even high visibility color coding of print cartridges has not provided satisfactory results. 
     A prior mechanical technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,422 entitled METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREVENTING UNINTENDED USE OF PRINT CARTRIDGES wherein a first level tab system controls initial insertion of a print cartridge, and a second level barrier system controls a final mounting step into a printer carriage. The implementation required different customized mechanical parts on two separate portions of the print cartridge as well as two corresponding separate portions of a carriage chute. Also there was a risk of tampering with the first level tabs by breaking them off in order to alter the ID system. 
     Another prior mechanical technique has been employed by Lexmark which uses a rudimentary dual system where a large upstanding cap extending about one and one/half centimeters above the print cartridge has a central convex protrusion for one group of cartridges used in Xerox and Compaq printers and a central concave recess for another group of cartridges used in Lexmark printers. A second level of identification is provided with a pair of equally spaced apart narrow slots on the Xerox and Compaq print cartridges which are respectively located at different lateral positions relative to the central convex protrusion. Very few combinations are possible with this system, and it requires excessive space on both the print cartridge and the carriage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides many combinations of ID for print cartridges and corresponding printer carriages and individual carriage chutes. A low profile pattern of columns which form a multiple bit matrix configuration is provided on a print cartridge and on its corresponding carriage. The columns are positioned to be contiguous for efficient use of space, and are capable of different lengths as measured from a default position. 
     One embodiment incorporates separate blocks to define each bit position on a column, while another preferred embodiment provides a continuous contoured edge which moves back and forth depending on the matrix code which identifies a particular family of print cartridges (or carriages) as well as individual print cartridges (or carriages) within each family. 
     Universal compatibility, family subset compatibility as well as unique one to one compatibility are possible with this multi-bit matrix scheme. The number of combinations can be expanded by either increasing the number of columns and/or by increasing the number of bit positions on a column. In a preferred form of the invention, the corresponding columns achieve complete matchup when the forward boundary of a print cartridge key matrix fits together with the forward boundary of a carriage key matrix. 
     Compatibility is achieved by limiting the total combined length of one or more particular columns in the carriage and print cartridge key matrices, while lockout is achieved by increasing the total combined length of one or more particular columns in the carriage and print cartridge key matrices. Thus the rationale for achieving various different combinations which allow successful mounting of a print cartridge depends on controlling the pattern of the forward boundary of a key matrix as well as controlling the combined lengths of aligned columns in the carriage and print cartridge matrices. 
     Unique differentiation between print cartridges is accomplished by having at least one column in a key matrix of a first print cartridge longer than a corresponding column in a key matrix of a second print cartridge. 
     While the possible number of columns and column lengths (multiple position bits) in theory is endless, implementations in various embodiments of the invention include a five column three bit key matrix, an eight column three bit key matrix separated in the middle by a latch to provide a par of four column three bit key matrices, and a six column four bit key matrix. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single chute carriage in a printer incorporating the invention, with a print cartridge mounted therein; 
     FIG. 2 shows a double chute carriage in the printer of FIG. 1, with two print cartridges mounted therein; 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a print cartridge having a five column implementation of the invention using a key matrix formed with two rows of separate spaced-apart blocks; 
     FIG. 3B is a top view schematic showing the five column implementation of FIG. 3A using of two rows of separate contiguous blocks; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view schematic showing the print cartridge of FIG. 3A with a biasing carriage spring engaging a print cartridge latch; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the print cartridge of FIG. 3A mounted on a single chute carriage having a matching carriage key matrix formed with an exposed integral five column plate, without showing the biasing carriage spring; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an empty single chute carriage having a covered carriage key matrix, and showing the biasing carriage spring; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the empty single chute of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a print cartridge having an eight column implementation of the invention using a low profile key matrix formed on both sides of a print cartridge latch; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan review of the print cartridge of FIG. 8; 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic views looking up at two integral four column plates which together form a covered carriage key matrix having predetermined edge contours which match the low profile key matrix on the print cartridge of FIGS. 8 and 9; 
     FIGS. 11A-11F are schematic representations of exemplary print cartridge key patterns which respectively identify different print cartridge families; 
     FIGS. 12A-12F are schematic representations of exemplary print cartridge key patterns of the single print cartridge family of FIG. 11A, with each key pattern being sufficiently different to be uniquely compatible with a particular printer carriage configuration; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an exemplary universal carriage key matrix capable of matchup with all print cartridge key patterns of the print cartridge family FIGS. 12A-12F; 
     FIG. 14 schematically shows a four column matchup of key matrix patterns; 
     FIGS. 15-19 schematically show various lockout combinations of a four column key matrix pattern which occur when a print cartridge is inserted into a non-compatible printer carriage; 
     FIGS. 20A-20C schematically show a hybrid print cartridge key matrix capable of matchup with a subset of different carriage key patterns; 
     FIGS. 21A and 21B schematically show a exemplary universal key matrix for a print cartridge capable of matchup with all carriage key patterns; 
     FIG. 22 schematically shows a six column matchup of key matrix patterns; and 
     FIG. 23 schematically shows a possible lockout combination of the six column key matrix patterns of FIG. 22 when a print cartridge is inserted into a non-compatible printer carriage. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An exemplary printing mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 includes a frame  30 , support bar  32 , angled guide bar  34 , encoder strip  36 , and carriage drive motor  38 . A carriage member  40  has a cylindrical bushing  42  which rides on the support bar  32  back and forth in a carriage scan direction  44  while media is periodically advanced along a platen  46  in a media advance direction  47  through a print zone. The carriage drive motor is mounted on a back of the frame  30  and carries a drive gear  48  coupled through transfer gear  50  to belt gear  52  which engages an inside toothed surface of a carriage drive belt  54 . The left end of the encoder strip is cut away to show the details of the carriage drive mechanisms. 
     In order to facilitate proper positioning of the carriage over the print zone, a guide bracket  56  is attached at the top rear of the carriage member  40  to slide along the angled guide bar  34 . A print cartridge  60  is shown mounted on a abbreviated chute  61 , and includes a housing  62 , and cap member  63  having right and left protruding ribs  64  and laterally extending grooves  66  for manual gripping during installation and removal of the print cartridge from the chute. A nozzle array  67  is located on a bottom surface of the print cartridge for applying ink drops to media on the platen. 
     The low profile of tie cap member is an important feature of the invention (see FIGS.  1  and  4 ), and the cap includes an upstanding central latch  68  with adjacent key-coded projections  70 ,  72  that extend only three mm and two mm, respectively, above a top surface of the cap member  63 . Space  75  is available on the cap for display of a company trademark or logo. A metal biasing spring  76  extending from the chute presses its V-shaped end  78  downwardly against the central latch  68  and at an angle toward an electrical interconnect  80  on the chute to provide conductive contact with a print cartridge interconnect  82 , without causing any interference with the key-coded projections  70 ,  72 . 
     The invention is applicable to single chute carriages (FIG. 1) as well as carriages having additional chutes for holding other identical print cartridges and well as other different types of print cartridges. Traditional carriages holding four print cartridges and high performance carriages holding eight, twelve and more print cartridges can also incorporate the benefits of the invention. A presently preferred embodiment for multiple print cartridges is shown in FIG. 2 with a first tri-compartment print cartridge  60  holding cyan, magenta and yellow ink mounted in chute  61 , alongside a black ink print cartridge  60   a  with similar external size specifications mounted in chute  61   a.  The key-coded projections on print cartridge  60  are different from the key-coded projections on print cartridge  60   a  to prevent using the print cartridges in the wrong chutes. 
     The print cartridge  60  includes left and right flex ribbon circuits  86 ,  88 , and encoder flex  90 , while print cartridge  60   a  includes similar flex components  86   a,    88   a,  and  90   a  for providing communication through end terminals  92 ,  94 ,  92   a,    94   a  which are attachable to a printed circuit board (not shown) on the printer. 
     One implementation of the key-coded projections on a print cartridge is shown in FIGS. 3A,  4  and  5  which show a five column two row matrix  100  extending across the entire front portion of the cap in front of the latch. While FIG. 3A shows blocks  102  spaced apart from blocks in adjacent rows and columns, a variation is shown in FIG. 3B with adjacent blocks  104  being contiguous. However the spaced apart block implementation makes it easier to create an encoded key pattern on a manufacturing line by selectively removing certain blocks without causing any damage to those blocks which remain to form the matrix pattern. When mounted in a compatible carriage chute  106  (see FIG.  6 ), a matching continuous edge matrix key  107  with some remaining blocks such as  108  and some blocks removed creates no lockout interference between any of the five aligned columns  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 . It will be understood from FIG. 5 by those skilled in the art that all disclosures, descriptions and variations recited for key-coded patterns on a print cartridge are equally applicable to matrix patterns on a carriage chute. Conversely all disclosures, descriptions and variations recited for key-coded patterns on a carriage are equally applicable to print cartridge matrices. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show more details of a preferred embodiment of a carriage chute key-coded pattern with the print cartridge removed. The pair of continuous edge patterns  116 ,  118  are located under protective plates  120 ,  122 . The datum notches  124 ,  126  at a lower end of the chute are provided to capture pivot legs  128 ,  130  on a print cartridge, and a side-biasing spring  132  helps to secure the print cartridge. It is important to note that while lockout combinations of print cartridge and carriage key matrices allow both initial engagement of the side-biasing spring  132  with a print cartridge and the capturing of pivot legs by the datum notches, it is not until the V-shaped end of the metal biasing spring reaches its closed position against the latch on the print cartridge cap that a print cartridge achieves stable completed mounting and full conductive contact of the interconnects. The encoded key patterns are located so that such closed position of the metal biasing spring is prevented by abutting contact of aligned columns of non-compatible print cartridges and carriage chutes. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show a presently preferred embodiment of a cap portion of a print cartridge with finger shaped grooves  66   a,  and with a narrow centrally located latch having a beveled face  136  which raises the V-shaped end of the biasing spring upon initial engagement, an apex  138 , and a recess  140  for receiving the V-shaped end in the absence of any lockout preventing completion of the mounting procedure. A separate key-coded projection  142  on one side of the latch has continuous edge  143  defined by four columns  144 ,  145 ,  146 ,  147  while another separate key-coded projection  148  on the opposite side of the latch has continuous edge  149  defined by four additional columns  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153 . The different lengths of the various columns are shown in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Column # 
                 144 
                 145 
                 146 
                 147 
                 150 
                 151 
                 152 
                 153 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Bit Position 
                 3 rd   
                 1 st   
                 2 nd   
                 3 rd   
                 3 rd   
                 2 nd   
                 2 nd   
                 1 st   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     FIGS. 11A-11F show a presently preferred implementation of columns  144 ,  145  and  145  as shown by bracketed portion  155  for encoding different patterns of column lengths to identify each family of print cartridges. Of course the inverse bit positions for each column will provide the matching patterns, respectively, for all of the compatible printer carriages/chutes (see columns  144   a,    145   a  and  146   a  in FIG.  10 A). The pattern for FIG. 11B identifies the family of print cartridges shown in FIG. 8 and 9. 
     FIGS. 12A-12F show a presently preferred implementation of columns  147 ,  150 ,  151 ,  152  and  153  as shown by bracketed portion  157  for encoding different patterns of column lengths to identify a particular print cartridge within a single family. Such different matrix patterns on print cartridges provide a unique mechanical identification for different carriage configurations. Of course the inverse bit positions for each column will again provide the matching patterns, respectively, for all of the compatible printer carriages/chutes (see columns  147   a,    150   a,    151   a,    152   a  and  153   a  in FIGS.  10 A and  10 B). The pattern for  12 A identifies the particular print cartridge shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     Comparative analysis of the matrix patterns of column locations  4  to  8  in FIGS. 12A-12F illustrate the technique of having at least one column in a key matrix of a first print cartridge longer than a corresponding column in a key matrix of a second print cartridge. Thus when considering the pattern in FIG. 12A shaped to match a key pattern of Carriage I, it is noted that lockout occurs because column #8 in FIGS. 12B,  12 C,  12 E and  12 F is longer than column # 8  in FIG. 12A, and because column # 6  in FIGS. 12D,  12 E, and  12 F is longer than column # 6  in FIG.  12 A. 
     FIG. 13 shows a pattern of completely truncated columns at  160 ,  161  in order to provide a universal carriage key for receiving all print cartridges of the family exemplified in FIGS. 12A-12F. A similar complete truncation of columns on a print cartridge creates a universal printhead key (see FIGS. 21A and 21B) for installation on all carriages without causing any lockout. 
     FIGS. 15-19 show examples of lockout when the overall length of aligned columns is three bit lengths  162  or four bit lengths  164  which both exceed the maximum of two bit lengths for matching compatibility. 
     FIGS. 14,  20 A- 20 C, and  21 A- 21 B all show examples of compatibility when the overall length of aligned columns is not more than two bit lengths  166 . By completely truncating all of the columns (FIGS.  21 A- 21 B), none of the corresponding columns on any carriage are individually long enough to cause a lockout. When columns are partially truncated (FIGS. 20A-20C) , some universality is achieved where all corresponding columns on various carriages have a length of one bit or less. This provides a way to prevent lockout of certain types of print cartridges having widespread use in many different printer carriages/chutes. 
     Finally, it will be understood upon reference to FIGS. 22-23 that the invention is applicable to virtually all combinations of column/row sizes depending on the available space on a print cartridge. In that regard, FIGS. 22-23 show a six column/four bit matrix using separate blocks to define the columns. Where the overall length of aligned columns is not more than three bit lengths  168 , then compatible matchup occurs. When the overall length of aligned columns is four bit lengths  170 , then lockout occurs since the maximum of three bit lengths has been exceeded. 
     There are other ways to define column lengths in order to implement the present invention. For example a first bit position could be a slot, a second bit position a flat, and a third bit position a nub. If there is a need for more easily configured keys, a tab break-off design or machinable tab could be used such that a first bit position is “no tabs”, a second bit position is “one tab” (or ½ height tab), and a third bit position is “two tabs” (or fill height tab). 
     The following table shows how the combination that yields the maximum number of unique keys is selected for a five position three bit embodiment. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TALBE II 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Number of Knubs (x) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Total Number 
                 Number 
                 Number of Slot 
                 Remaining 
                 0 
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
               
             
          
           
               
                 of Positions 
                 of Slots 
                 Configurations 
                 Positions 
                 Number of Key Configurations with Slots &amp; Knubs 
               
               
                 (n) 
                 (r) 
                 (nCr) 
                 (p) 
                 [nCr ×  pCx] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 # 
                 0 
                 1 
                 5 
                 1 
                  5 
                 10 
                 10 
                 5 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 5 
                 4 
                 5 
                 20 
                 30 
                 20 
                 5 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 10 
                 3 
                 10 
                 30 
                 30 
                 10 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 10 
                 2 
                 10 
                 20 
                 10 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 5 
                 1 
                 5 
                  5 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As shown in Table II a scheme of “two nubs/two slots/one flat” or “two nub/one slot/two flats” or “one nub/two slots/two flats each yield  30  unique combinations. Even though it appears that adding these combinations will increase the total number of configurations, some of them do not create the desired uniqueness required for lockout. 
     Therefore although adding together the combinations of slot configurations will give us the theoretical maximum, the keys without the nubs will fit in the carriage designed to accept the keys with the nubs, hence making them unusable as unique keys. 
     It is to be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed are by way of example only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, improvements and modifications can be made to the examples given without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.