Apparatus and method for sharing information between digital dispense devices connected to a network
US10525716B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/17589
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system tracks the fluid information in fluid cartridges used in digital dispense devices connected to a network. Each device stores a history of cartridges that have been used in the device. Each cartridge stores a fluid information value and/or an indicator that indicates whether the cartridge has been used before in any device. When a device receives a previously-used cartridge, the device broadcasts a request for information about that cartridge from the other devices. Each device having the matching cartridge identification value in its history reports over the network the latest fluid information value associated with the matching cartridge identification value. The requesting device chooses the most up-to-date response based on the latest value of fluid information. The requesting device then updates its memory using the latest value and begins incrementing the information from that latest information for subsequent fluid dispense jobs performed using the installed cartridge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.