Patent Publication Number: US-8985165-B2

Title: Apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to an apparatus, method and system for carrying and dispensing an ink useful in printing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional high volume print systems often have large barrels for storing inks that are to be used in various printing processes. These barrels typically are specific with regard to the types or colors of inks that are contained within them. Operator errors may occur such as dispensing an incorrect ink type and/or color into a particular barrel because conventional containers for various inks are simple in design and do not communicate with the print system to prevent such operator errors. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, there is a need for an ink carrier configured to communicate with a print system to control whether an ink contained by the ink carrier is dispensed into the print system. 
     According to one embodiment, an apparatus configured to carry and dispense an ink useful in printing comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The apparatus also comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for dispensing an ink into a printing system comprises determining an installation of an ink carrying apparatus at a docking station. The ink carrying apparatus comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The ink carrying apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The ink carrying apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position. 
     The method also comprises causing, at least in part, a detection of a type of ink in the container based, at least in part, on a communication between a printing system affiliated with the docking station and the unit monitor. The method further comprises processing the detection of the type of ink to cause, at least in part, a permission to dispense the ink into the printing system. The method additionally comprises causing, at least in part, the movable cover to be moved from the closed position to the open position based, at least in part, on the permission. The method also comprises causing, at least in part, the container to be fixed to the docking station when the movable cover is in the open position by way of an interaction between the locking tab and the docking station. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, the film to be removed when the movable cover is in the open position to cause the ink to be dispensed into the printing system. 
     According to another embodiment, a system useful in printing configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus. The ink carrying apparatus comprises a container that comprises a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The ink carrying apparatus also comprises a movable cover configured to mate with the flange so as to cover the opening in a closed position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from the closed position to an open position. The ink carrying apparatus additionally comprises a film positioned between one or more surfaces of the movable cover and one or more surfaces of the flange to seal the opening, the film being removable when the movable cover is in the open position. The ink carrying apparatus further comprises a locking tab configured to restrict movement of the container when the movable cover is in the open position. 
     The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in the open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate the movement of the movable cover from the closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container that is based, at least in part, on a communication between the processor and the unit monitor, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed. 
     According to one example embodiment, An apparatus configured to carry and dispense an ink useful in printing comprises a container comprising a bottom surface, an opening distal the bottom surface, and one or more sidewalls proximate the bottom surface, the one or more sidewalls being configured to form a neck portion positioned between the bottom surface, and a flange arranged about the opening. The apparatus also comprises a cover configured to cover the opening in a closed position. The apparatus further comprises a unit monitor configured to facilitate a dispensing of the ink from the container. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein. It is envisioned, however, that any system that incorporates features of any apparatus, method and/or system described herein are encompassed by the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system configured for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an ink carrying apparatus, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the apparatuses, methods and systems as described herein. 
     Reference is made to the drawings to accommodate understanding of disclosed apparatuses, methods and systems useful in printing. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout to designate similar or identical elements. The drawings depict various embodiments related to embodiments of illustrative apparatuses, methods and systems for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing. 
     As used herein, the term “facilitating,” or any variation thereof refers to any processing, action, and/or provision of data, for example, that causes, enables or helps an action to occur. 
     Conventional high volume print systems often have large barrels for storing inks that are to be used in various printing processes. These print systems often have numerous barrels that are specific with regard to the types or colors of inks that are contained within them. For example, one barrel may be designated to be a magenta ink source for the print system while another barrel may be a black ink source. Operator errors may occur such as dispensing an incorrect ink type and/or color into a particular barrel because conventional containers for various inks are simple in design and do not communicate with the print system to prevent such operator errors. 
     To address this problem, a system  100  of  FIG. 1  introduces the capability to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing. Inks that may be dispensed into a printing system may include, for example, ink pellets, fluids, etc. Regardless of type, inks may need to be protected from moisture and other environmental affects until the ink is needed to replenish the barrel or other reservoir. 
     The system  100  comprises an ink carrier  101 , a docking station  103 , and a barrel  105 . The ink carrier  101  has a container  107 , a film seal  109 , a slide cover  111  (slide cover  111  is not visible in  FIG. 1 , but is positioned beneath the film seal  109  and a lockable handle  131  that is part of the docking station  103 ), a unit monitor  113 , and a plug  115 . The docking station  103  includes the lockable handle  131 , a receiving portion  123 , and an antenna  135 . 
     According to various embodiments, the system  100  is a green concept in that it enables commonality of ink carriers  101  between colors. Once used, the ink carrier  101  may be recycled so that it can be refilled and reused using the same or different type and/or color ink. As will be discussed in more detail below, the ink carrier  101  is a “smart bottle” that will only dispense its contents into a barrel  105  that has a corresponding type and/or color ink requirement. Additionally, the system  100  provides for selective distribution of ink, for example, at a determined time when it is needed. 
     According to various embodiments, the components of the ink carrier  101  such as the container  107  may, for example, comprise any lightweight polymer, metal, other material, or any combination thereof, and a static-resistant resin to facilitate as near complete dispensing of the ink contained within the ink carrier  101  as possible. Additionally, the ink carrier  101  is lightweight, on the order of about 10 kg when loaded with ink, for example, but depending on size and materials, the weight of the ink carrier  101  may vary. 
     In one or more embodiments, the container  107  may be blow molded, compression molded, injection molded, or any combination thereof in one or more steps to form the container  107  which may or may not have one or more handles  108  for ergonomic handling, and a flange (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) for mating with the docking station  103  and/or the slide cover  111 . In one or more embodiments, the handle  108  may be positioned to balance a full load, near loaded container  107 &#39;s center of gravity. 
     In one or more embodiments, as will be discussed in detail below with regard to  FIG. 2 , the container  107  has a bottom surface  117  and one or more side walls  119 . For example, the container  107  may take any general shape so that it may have one side wall  119  in a case where a cross-section of the container  107  is rounded, or many side walls  119  in a case where a cross-section of the container  107  is polygonal. In the case of a polygonal cross-section, for example, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such a cross-section enables efficient pallet loading because multiple ink carriers  101  may be able to fit well on a conventional shipping/storage pallet. 
     In one or more embodiments, the container  107  has an opening (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) that is distal the bottom surface  117  through which the ink carrier dispenses its contents. In some embodiments, the opening may be of a size that is lesser in area that the bottom surface  117 , or any cross-section taken of the container  107  through any sidewall  119 . Accordingly, to accommodate the opening, the container  107  may have a neck portion  121  positioned between the bottom surface  117  and the opening. The neck portion  121  may be linearly sloped, for example, by having two or more asymmetrical sides that reduce the cross-sectional area of the container  107  as a distance from the bottom surface  117  increases. Alternatively, the neck portion  121  may be non-linearly sloped so that it is curved, for example. The sloping sides, whether asymmetrical and linear, or non-linear, enable dispensing the contents of the ink carrier  101  without plugging. 
     In one or more embodiments, the neck portion  121  facilitates an installation of the ink carrier  101  into the docking station  103 . For example, docking station  103  may have a receiving portion  123  that is configured to receive an ink carrier  101  having a specific shape such as one having a neck portion  121  with two asymmetrical sides, one that is rounded to a specific diameter, etc. Accordingly, if an ink carrier  101  is not of the specific shape, it would be deemed incompatible with the docking station  103  and not allowed to be installed into the docking station  103 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the container  107  has a docking side wall  125  that is generally flat from the bottom surface  117  to the opening and does not slope toward the opening in the same manner as the rest of the neck portion  121 . However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the docking side wall  125  may slope toward the opening, or have any feature, for example, that may act as a key to guide the ink carrier  101  into position on the docking station  103 . For example, the neck portion  121  may have one or more tabs (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) that mate with one or more receiving features of the receiving portion  123  to guide the ink carrier  101  into position. 
     According to various embodiments, the ink carrier  101  may have an additional opening  127  in the neck portion  121 , for example. The additional opening  127  may be used to fill the ink carrier  101  if it is assembled to have the slide cover  111  and/or the film seal  109  in place before filling. 
     In one or more embodiments, the film seal  109  protects the ink contained in the ink carrier  101  from environmental factors such as moisture, for example. The film seal  109  may be heat sealed or adhesively attached, for example, to a surface of the container  107  around the opening of the container  107 . The film seal  109 , which may be attached to the container  107  before or after filling the container  107 , is positioned between one or more surfaces around the opening, such as a surface of the flange  205  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) and the slide cover  111  when it is installed onto the ink carrier  101 . 
     According to various embodiments, if the ink carrier  101  has the additional opening  127 , the ink carrier  101  also has a plug  115  to close the opening  127 . The plug  115  may be color coded so that it indicates a type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier  101 . Because the plug  115  may be removed and replaced, the ink carrier  101  may be recycled to accommodate any type and/or color of ink, and as such, the plug  115  may be replaced to indicate the type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier  101 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the ink carrier  101  also has a unit monitor  113  that stores information indicating the type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier  101 . The unit monitor  113  may be any of a memory, a processor, or any combination thereof. The unit monitor  113  is configured to communicate with a processor that may be part of the docking station  103 , or otherwise networked to the docking station  103  from a remote location. If the processor is remote from the docking station, then the unit monitor  113  may communicate with the processor by way of antenna  135 , for example. Like the plug  115 , the unit monitor  113  may be updated upon recycling of the ink carrier  101  to indicate any type and/or color of ink contained within the ink carrier  101 . 
     According to various embodiments, the slide cover  111  is mated to the flange positioned about the opening and is movable between an open position and a closed position so that the ink carrier  101  retains the ink in the container  107  until the ink is to be dispensed into the barrel  105 . The slide cover  111  is locked or latched in the closed position until the ink is to be dispensed to prevent it from being accidentally opened during transportation. In one or more embodiments, the slide cover  111  may optionally be moved to the open position by a user without the ink carrier  101  being mounted into the docking station  103 . For example, if a user wanted to tamper with the ink, he may be allowed to do so. But, in some embodiments, to ensure security and prevent tampering, the slide cover  111  may be locked such that it is only movable when the ink carrier  101  is mounted into the docking station  103 . 
     Regardless of whether the slide cover is movable only by way of the docking station  103  or by way of a user without the docking station, the slide cover  111  is allowed to be moved to the open position when the ink carrier  101  is installed into the docking station  103  and the unit monitor  113  facilitates a permission for the slide cover  111  to be moved to the open position. Permission for moving the slide cover  111  from the closed position to the open position may be granted based on a communication between the unit monitor  113  and the processor. For example, a printing system may have multiple system  100 &#39;s affiliated with it. Each system  100  may be designated to distribute a particular type and/or color of ink to the printing system. Accordingly, if the barrel  105 , for example, is designated to distribute magenta ink to the printing system, the processor would have knowledge of this information. Then, if an ink carrier  101  having a unit monitor  113  programmed to indicate that the content of the ink carrier  101  is magenta ink, a communication between the unit monitor  113  and the processor would take place granting permission for the ink carrier  101  to dispense its contents into the barrel  105 . However, if the information provided by the unit monitor  113  is not a match for the type and/or color of ink expected to be dispensed into the barrel  105 , then the contents are not allowed, or in other words, forbidden to be dispensed into the barrel  105 . 
     According to various embodiments, the docking station  103  has a lockable handle  131  that may be manipulated by an operator or moved by a motor, for example, to move the slide cover  111  from its closed position to an open position. For example, once the ink carrier  101  is installed into the docking station  103 , and permission is granted to dispense the ink into the barrel  105 , the handle  131  is unlocked and allowed to move to cause the slide cover  111  to slide to the open position. In one or more embodiments, for example, the handle  131  may be in a locked state, and only allowed to be moved when permission is granted so as to cause the slide cover  111  to be moved from the closed position to the open position. 
     According to various embodiments, the slide cover  111  may optionally be replaced by a stationary cover. The stationary cover may be configured to be pierced by a piercing mechanism associated with the docking station  103  when the lockable handle  131  is granted permission to move from its locked position to another position to dispense ink into the barrel  105 . In one or more embodiments, the cover, if pierceable, may comprise any material that may be permanently pierced, such as a polymer, metal or foil, for example. Or, the cover may comprise a material that is self healing such that when the ink carrier  101  is removed from the docking station  103 , the cover may re-seal the opening to avoid spilling any remnant ink that has not been fully dispensed. 
     According to various embodiments, the unit monitor  113  and the processor may also facilitate a smart delivery of the ink contained in the ink carrier  101  on demand. For example, if the ink carrier  101  is installed into the docking station  103  when the barrel  105  is full, or un-needed, permission may not be granted to dispense the ink into the barrel  105  until the opportune time. For instance, it may be beneficial to keep the ink in the ink carrier  101  until it is necessary to fill the barrel  105  to avoid unnecessary introduction of moisture to the ink. Or, for example, an amount of ink that is dispensed may be controlled by the system  100  if, for example, the system  100  is configured to cause the slide cover  111  to move from the open position to the closed position before the contents of the ink carrier  101  are completely dispensed. In one or more embodiments, the system  100  may have a sensor associated with the barrel  105  to indicate an ink level in the barrel to ascertain whether ink is needed. 
     According to various embodiments, if the film seal  109  is present and fixed to the container  107 , the film seal  109  may need to be removed from the ink carrier  101  to enable the ink to be dispensed into the barrel  105 . The film seal, because it is heat sealed or adhesively attached to the container  107  may be easily removed when the slide cover  111  is in the open position. In one or more embodiments, the film seal  109  may have a tab or handle portion  133  that may be easily engaged by an operator for removal from the ink carrier  101  to cause the contents of the ink carrier  101  to empty into the barrel  105 . Alternatively, the tab or handle portion  133  may be engaged by the handle  131  so that the film seal is pulled from the container  107  causing the contents of the ink carrier  101  to be emptied into the barrel  105  when the handle  131  causes the slide cover  111  to be moved from the closed position to the open position. In one or more embodiments, whether the film seal  109  has the tab or handle portion, the film seal may partially be removed from the container  107  when the slide cover  111  moves from the closed position to the open position, allowing or enabling the ink to be dispensed into the barrel  105 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the film seal  109  may not be easily removable, or may be permanently sealed to the container  107 . In one or more embodiments, the film seal  109  may be configured to be pierced by a piercing mechanism associated with the docking station  103  when the lockable handle  131  is granted permission to move from its locked position to another position to dispense ink into the barrel  105 . The film seal  109 , if pierceable, may comprise any material that may be permanently pierced, such as a polymer, metal or foil, for example. Or, the cover may comprise a material that is self healing such that when the ink carrier  101  is removed from the docking station  103 , the cover may re-seal the opening to avoid spilling any remnant ink that has not been fully dispensed. 
     In one or more embodiments, after the ink is dispensed into the barrel  105 , the slide cover  111  may be returned by the handle  131  to its closed position, where it is locked in place, so that any remnant ink that may still be in the ink carrier  101 , for example, are not spilled when the ink carrier  101  is removed from the docking station  103 . 
     In one or more embodiments, as discussed above, the container  107  may have one or more tabs  209  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) that may serve as guides for positioning the ink carrier  101  into the docking station  103 . The tabs may also be configured to engage features of the docking station  103  that interlock with the tabs to prevent the bottle from being removed while the system  100  is in the process of dispensing the ink contained in the ink carrier  101  and the slide cover  111  is in the open position. Alternatively, or in addition to the one or more tabs, the flange may be configured to mate with the docking station  103  by interlocking in place to prevent removal of the ink carrier  101  while the system  100  is in the process of dispensing the ink contained in the ink carrier  101 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the ink carrier  101 , according to one example embodiment. 
     The ink carrier  101 , as discussed above, includes a container  107 , a film seal  109 , a slide cover  111 , a unit monitor  113 , and a plug  115 . The ink carrier  101 , according to this example embodiment, also has a label  201  that indicates the type and/or color of ink contained in the ink carrier. The unit monitor  113  is positioned on the container  107  such that it is on the dispensing side wall  125  beneath the label  201 . 
     The container  107 , in this embodiment, has a handle  108 , a bottom surface  117 , one or more side walls  119 , a neck portion  121 , the dispensing side wall  125 , and another opening  127  within which the plug  115  may be installed. The opening  127  may be a filler opening should the ink carrier require filling following assembly. 
     The container  107  also has an opening  203  through which the contents of the ink carrier  101  may be dispensed. The overall size of the opening enables easy flow of the contents of the ink carrier  101  for fast dispensing into the barrel  105 . 
     According to various embodiments, the container  107  has a flange  205  that surrounds the opening  203 . The flange  205 , though illustrated as being polygonal, may take any shape or form such as a circle, oval, triangle, or any other shape. The flange  205  has a flange surface  207  on which the film seal  109  may be attached. The flange surface  207  may be rough or smooth, and may be flat, curved, undulating, or any other topography. The flange  205 , as discussed above, may be configured to mate with the slide cover  111 . When the slide cover  111  is in a closed position over the opening  203 , the slide cover  111  is locked or latched in place. The slide cover  111  may be moved to an open position, and the film seal  109  removed, when the unit monitor  113  enables the slide cover to be moved by facilitating an unlocking of the handle  131 . Or, the slide cover  111  may be movable when the ink carrier  101  is not installed into the docking station  103 . When the slide cover  111  is moved, the film seal  109  may be removed from the ink carrier  101  by an operator, for example, that may grab the handle portion  133  of the film seal  109 . Upon removal of the film seal  109 , and after the contents of the ink carrier  101  have been dispensed, the slide cover  111  may be moved back to the closed and locked/latched position so that any remnant contents of the ink carrier  101  do not spill during removal from the docking station  103 , discussed above. 
     In one or more embodiments, as discussed above, the container  107  may have a locking tab  209  that may be integrally formed with the container  107 , or separately attached. The locking tab  209  may interlock with a locking feature of the docking station  103  so that the ink carrier  101  may not be removed from the docking station  103  while the ink carrier  101  is in the process of dispensing its contents. The flange  205  may also be configured to mate with the docking station  103  to prevent movement of the ink carrier  101  during the dispensing process. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the processor discussed above performs the process  300  and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in  FIG. 4 . In step  301 , the processor determines an installation of the ink carrier  101  discussed above at the docking station  103 . Then, in step  303 , the processor causes, at least in part, a detection of a type of ink in the ink carrier  101  based, at least in part, on a communication between the processor and the unit monitor  113 . Next, in step  305 , the processor processes the detection of the type of ink to cause, at least in part, a permission to dispense the ink into the barrel  105  discussed above. 
     The process continues to step  307  in which the processor causes, at least in part, the slide cover  111  to be moved from a closed position to an open position based, at least in part, on the permission. In one or more embodiments, the movement is by way of handle  131 . Then, in step  309 , the processor causes, at least in part, the ink carrier  101  to be fixed to the docking station  103  when the slide cover  111  is in the open position by way of an interaction between the locking tab  209  and the docking station  103 . Next, in step  311 , the processor facilitates the film seal  109  to be removed when the slide cover  111  is in the open position by allowing the slide cover  111  to be moved to the open position. The film seal  109 , as discussed above, may be removed by an operator, for example, or by the movement of the slide cover  111 . The process continues to step  313  in which the ink is caused to be dispensed into the barrel  105  through the opening  203  when the slide cover  111  is in the open position and film seal  109  is removed. Then, in step  315 , the slide cover  111  is moved to the closed position, the ink carrier  101  is unlocked from the docking station  103  and the ink carrier  101  is removed from the docking station  103  with the slide cover  111  in the closed position. 
     The processes described herein for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a chip set or chip  400  upon which an embodiment may be implemented. Chip set  400  is programmed to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing as described herein may include, for example, bus  401 , processor  403 , memory  405 , DSP  407  and ASIC  409  components. 
     The processor  403  and memory  405  may be incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set  400  can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip  400  can be implemented as a single “system on a chip.” It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip  400 , or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing. 
     In one or more embodiments, the chip set or chip  400  includes a communication mechanism such as bus  401  for passing information among the components of the chip set  400 . Processor  403  has connectivity to the bus  401  to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory  405 . The processor  403  may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor  403  may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus  401  to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor  403  may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP)  407 , or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC)  409 . A DSP  407  typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor  403 . Similarly, an ASIC  409  can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips. 
     In one or more embodiments, the processor (or multiple processors)  403  performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus  401  and placing information on the bus  401 . The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor  403 , such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination. 
     The processor  403  and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory  405  via the bus  401 . The memory  405  may include one or more of dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to selectively dispense an ink useful in printing. The memory  405  also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps. 
     In one or more embodiments, the memory  405 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for selectively dispensing an ink useful in printing. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by system  100 . RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory  405  is also used by the processor  403  to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The memory  405  may also be a read only memory (ROM) or any other static storage device coupled to the bus  401  for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the system  100 . Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. The memory  405  may also be a non-volatile (persistent) storage device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the system  100  is turned off or otherwise loses power. 
     The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor  403 , including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media. 
     While a number of embodiments and implementations have been described, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of various embodiments are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.