Printer ink cartridge with memory storage capacity

A cartridge for an ink printer, having memory capabilities, comprising:

• (a) a rigid cartridge body containing ink;
• (b) a plurality of ink ejection orifices;
• (c) a jet plate comprising a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of said plurality of heating element is associated with one of said ink ejection orifices;
• (d) a memory storage element and a control and driver circuit connected together and formed on an application specific integrated circuit, said control and driver circuit comprising a control circuit, a plurality of driver circuits and a counter, wherein (i) a first portion of said control circuit is connected to each of said plurality of driver circuits to selectively energize said driver circuits in response to a plurality of bits comprising a word received from an external device (ii) a second portion of said control circuit is connected to said counter for controlling the operation of said counter in response to said word, and (iii) a third portion of said control circuit is connected to said memory storage element for routing information to/from said memory storage element from/to said external device and wherein each of said plurality of driver circuits is connected to one of said heating elements to energize said heating element for applying a drop of ink;
• (e) a plurality of electrical contacts;
• (f) a first plurality of electrical conductors connecting said jet plate to said integrated circuit;
• and
• (g) a second plurality of electrical conductors connecting said integrated circuit to said electrical contacts for communicating information to/from said external device.

A method for automatically calculating the amount of ink remaining in a printer ink cartridge, said printer ink cartridge having (i) a counter capable of counting to a maximum number, (ii) a memory storage element and (iii) a plurality of nozzles, comprising the steps of:

• incrementing said counter in response to multi-bit words received from print electronics external to said printer ink cartridge an amount indicative of the ink expelled from each of said plurality of nozzles;
• storing a bit of data in said memory storage element each time said counter reaches a maximum value;
• and
• resetting said counter to an initial value when said counter reaches said maximum value.

A printer having a platen, a support structure, and print carriage, wherein said support structure supports said print carriage above the platen and said print carriage comprising at least one printer cartridge holders, said printer further comprising:

• a printer cartridge mounted in said at least one printer cartridge holder, said printer cartridge including (i) a cartridge body containing ink, (ii) a plurality of ink ejection orifices and (iii) a jet plate comprising a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of said plurality of heating element is associated with one of said ink ejection orifices, said printer cartridge further comprising:
• (a) a logic circuit and a plurality of driver circuits, wherein a portion of said logic circuit is connected to each of said plurality of driver circuits for controlling the energization of said driver circuits and each of said plurality of driver circuits is connected to one of said heating elements to energize said heating element for applying a drop of ink, wherein said logic circuit is electrically connected to receive a plurality of bits comprising a word from print electronics external to said cartridge, and wherein said logic circuit actuates a predetermined set of said plurality of driver circuits in response to said word;
• (b) a plurality of electrical conductors connecting said jet plate to said plurality of driver circuits;
• (c) a memory storage element electrically connected to said logic circuit;
• and,
• (d) a counter electrically connected to said logic circuit, said counter being incremented a predetermined amount by said logic circuit in response to said word, wherein an output of said counter is periodically stored in said memory.