Printer consumable having data storage for static and dynamic calibration data, and methods
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsIsaac Farr, Shane Shivji
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatus for compensating for variations between different ink or toner characteristics, and for variations between sensors, by characterizing the ink or toner and storing one or more static threshold level on printer consumable memory devices during manufacture of the printer consumables. When installed in a printer, a dynamic threshold may be determined based on the static threshold level; the dynamic threshold accounting for variations between sensors and printers. The dynamic threshold may further be stored on the printer consumable memory device.
Claims36
A method of setting a sensor threshold level in a printing system, the sensor detecting a characteristic of a consumable substance utilized by the printing system, comprising:
- during manufacture of a replaceable container of the consumable substance,
- characterizing the consumable substance to determine a static calibration value;
- storing a value representing the static calibration value in an electronic memory component on the replaceable container;
- and
- after installation of the container of the consumable substance in a printing system,
- retrieving the value representing the static calibration value from the electronic memory component;
- and
- determining a dynamic threshold level based on the static calibration value and signals from the printer system sensor.
A method of dynamically calibrating a printing system to compensate for variability in a characteristic of a consumable substance, the printing system utilizing replaceable containers of the consumable substance, comprising:
- during manufacture of a replaceable container of the consumable substance,
- characterizing the consumable substance to determine static calibration information;
- storing calibration information in an electronic memory component on the replaceable container;
- and
- after installation of the container of the consumable substance in a printing system,
- retrieving the calibration information from the electronic memory component;
- and
- dynamically calibrating the printing system based on the static calibration information and information locally available to the printing system.
A consumable for a printer system, comprising:
- a container for a consumable substance;
- an electronic memory component, the electronic memory component having first stored calibration data relating to a characteristic of the consumable substance,
- the electronic memory component further having second stored calibration data derived from the first calibration data, the second calibration data relating to a threshold level for an individual printer sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.