Lockout device and an indicator to ensure that the correct consumable is replaced in a printing device

A method to replenish at least one consumable in a printer system having at least one channel with a lockout device and an indicator, the method comprising:

• providing a container with a consumable for the printer system, wherein the container has an electronically-readable memory device that identifies the type of consumable in the container;
• reading the electronically-readable memory device on the container to determine if the consumable in the container can replenish the printer system;
• and
• supplying electrical current to the lockout device and indicator to place a lockout device and an indicator in an active state when the consumable in the container can replenish the printer system, thereby permitting the transfer of the consumable through a channel with a lockout device and indicator in the active state;
• wherein the indicator when in an active state signals which of the at least one channel is permitted to receive the consumable in the container.

An apparatus to control insertion of color inks into a printing system, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one compartment to receive at least one of the color inks for the printing system, wherein each compartment has a bottle cradle operable to open and close and thereby restrict access to the compartment;
• an input device operable to receive input from a container with color ink for the printing system;
• and
• a controller coupled to the input device and to each bottle cradle and operable to control access to at least one compartment by receiving the input and comparing the input to stored information to generate one of a plurality of results to unlock and identify one of the compartments that can receive the color ink in the container.