Method and apparatus for storing information on a replaceable ink container

A replaceable ink cartridge for providing ink to an ink-jet printer, the replaceable ink cartridge including:

• an information storage device responsive to the ink-jet printer for transferring information between the ink-jet printer and the information storage device, the information storage device comprising:
• a single data terminal electrically connected to the information storage device;
• and
• a reference terminal electrically connected to the information storage device, the information storage device providing a data signal on the single data terminal relative to the reference terminal, the data signal being indicative of information stored in the information storage device.

A method for providing information from an information storage device associated with an ink container to an ink-jet printer, the method comprising:

• receiving a signal representative of address information on a single data terminal associated with the information storage device relative to a reference terminal;
• accessing information corresponding to the received address information;
• and
• providing a signal representative of the accessed information to the single data terminal relative to the reference terminal, the inkjet printer sensing the signal representative of the accessed information.

A replaceable ink container for providing ink to an ink-jet printer, the replaceable ink container including:

• a memory associated with the replaceable ink container, the memory comprising:
• a data storage portion;
• a reference terminal electrically connected to the data storage portion, the reference terminal configured for connection to the ink-jet printer;
• and
• a bi-directional data terminal electrically connected to the data storage portion, the bi-directional data terminal configured for connection to the ink-jet printer for transferring data in a serial fashion between the data storage portion and the ink-jet printer.