Printing system for updating printing characteristics with a printing consumable

A flexible printing system comprising:

• a printer comprising:
• programmable memory that stores updateable print characteristics after making a determination that the print characteristics are compatible with the printing capabilities of the printer;
• and
• a radio frequency receiver;
• and
• a printer consumable comprising memory that stores a set of printer characteristics and a radio frequency transmitter that transmits the printer characteristics to the radio frequency receiver, wherein the updateable characteristics include finishing processes and at least one of a dithering algorithm and a color table.

A method for updating printing characteristics in a printing system comprising a printer having radio frequency identification capability and a first set of printing characteristics and printer data memory that stores a second set of printing characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:

• the printer querying the printer data memory;
• when the printer data memory responds, the printer retrieving the second set of printing characteristics from the printer data memory over a radio frequency link;
• and
• updating the printer with the second set of printing characteristics after making a determination that the print characteristics are compatible with the printing capabilities of the printer, wherein the second set of printing characteristics includes finishing parameters and at least one of a dithering algorithm and a color table.

A method for updating printing characteristics in a printing system comprising a printer having a card reader and a first set of printing characteristics and a data card that stores a second set of printing characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling the data card to the card reader;
• the printer reading the second set of printing characteristics from the data card;
• if the second set of printing characteristics are different from the first set of printing characteristics, the printer retrieving the second set of printing characteristics from the data card;
• and
• if the second set of printing characteristics are compatible with printing capabilities of the printer, updating the first set of printing characteristics with the second set of printing characteristics, wherein the second set of printing characteristics include finishing processes and at least one of a dithering algorithm and a color table.

A method for updating printing characteristics in a printing system comprising a printer having a card reader and a first set of printing characteristics and a data card that stores a second set of printing characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling the data card to the card reader;
• the printer reading the second set of printing characteristics from the data card;
• if the second set of printing characteristics are different from the first set of printing characteristics and the printer is capable of using the printing characteristics, the printer retrieving the second set of printing characteristics from the data card;
• and
• if the second set of printing characteristics are compatible with printing capabilities of the printer, updating the first set of printing characteristics with the second set of printing characteristics, wherein the second set of printing characteristics include finishing processes and at least one of a dithering algorithm and a color table.

A flexible printing system comprising:

• a printer comprising:
• memory that stores updateable printing characteristics, wherein the updateable printing characteristics include finishing processes and at least one of a dithering algorithm and a color table;
• and
• a print characteristics transfer mechanism;
• a network connection that enables the printer to access a network;
• and
• a printer data memory that stores a uniform resource locator, the printer data memory coupled to the print characteristics transfer mechanism in order to transfer the uniform resource locator to the printer, wherein the printer is configured to download data from a web site corresponding to the URL if the data is compatible with printing capabilities of the printer, wherein the data is used to update the updateable printing characteristics.

A method for updating printing characteristics in a printing system comprising a printer having a card reader, network access capability, and a first set of printing characteristics, the system further comprising a data card that stores a network identification of a location on a network, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling the data card to the card reader;
• the printer reading the network identification from the data card
• accessing the network identification over the network;
• accessing a second set of printing characteristics at the network location designated by the network identification;
• if the second set of printing characteristics is different from the first set of printing characteristics and the printer is capable of using the second set of printing characteristics, the printer retrieving the second set of printing characteristics from the network location;
• and
• if the second set of printing characteristics are compatible with printing capabilities of the printer, updating the first set of printing characteristics in response to the second set of printing characteristics, wherein the second set of printing characteristics include finishing processes.

A printer cartridge apparatus having a capability for printing on media and updating printing characteristics of a printer, the apparatus comprising:

• memory that stores printing characteristics for use by the printer;
• means for transferring the printing characteristics to the printer, the means coupled to the memory, wherein the printer is configured to update printing characteristics of the printer with printing characteristics of the printer cartridge apparatus if the printing characteristics of the printer cartridge apparatus is compatible with printing capabilities of the printer;
• and
• means for printing on the media, wherein the printing characteristics include finishing parameters and a dithering algorithm.

A printer cartridge apparatus having a capability for printing on media and updating printing characteristics of a printer, the apparatus comprising:

• memory that stores printing characteristics for use by the printer;
• means for transferring the printing characteristics to the printer, the means coupled to the memory, wherein the printer is configured to update printing characteristics of the printer with printing characteristics of the printer cartridge apparatus if the printing characteristics of the printer cartridge apparatus is compatible with printing capabilities of the printer;
• and
• means for printing on the media, wherein the printing characteristics include finishing parameters and a color table.