Patent ID: 6874872

Claim:
A system for ink replenishment for an inkjet printer comprising: a frame for holding one or more ink supply modules; an interconnect member on said frame, said interconnect member having an ink supply interface and an air supply interface; an ink supply module mountable on said frame for coupling to said ink supply interface and for coupling to said air supply interface so that ink in said ink supply module may be subjected to predetermined positive pressures greater than ambient air pressure; an air compressor device in communication with said air supply interface to provide variable air pressure to said ink supply module to facilitate a startup non-printing mode prior to reaching a minimum threshold positive pressure and a different operational printing mode after reaching the minimum threshold positive pressure for transmission of liquid ink from said ink supply module to an inkjet print cartridge; a sensor for monitoring the air pressure of said air compressor device; control electronics coupled to said air compressor device and to said sensor to control said air compressor device based on signals received from said sensor in order to provide greater air pressure from said air compressor device during said startup non-printing mode thereby reducing startup time; and a plurality of ink supply modules all connected to said air supply interface so that ink in said plurality of ink supply modules may be subjected to predetermined positive pressures greater than ambient air pressure.