Apparatus for Refilling Inkjet Cartridges and Methods Thereof

Abstract

An integrated inkjet-cartridge refilling system that is comprised of an arrangement of mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and software elements, which is used by an operator in a retail environment to automatically connect one of many types of inkjet cartridges that are used in printing devices and refill the cartridge.

1 . An ink cartridge refilling machine for use in a retail environment, capable of refilling multiple different ink cartridges, comprising: 
 a housing, said housing comprising a computer, a memory, an input device and an output device;    a display supported by the housing and in communication with the computer;    a proximity sensor in communication with the computer; and    a program stored in the memory for controlling operation of the ink cartridge refilling machine, including controlling operation of the display, in response to operation of the proximity sensor, to display information regarding ink refilling operations.    
   
   
       2 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises first display information for presentation via the display prior to activation of the proximity sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 2 , wherein the first display information comprises at least one of advertisements and informational content.  
   
   
       4 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 2 , wherein the memory comprises second display information for presentation via the display after activation of the proximity sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 4 , wherein the display is a touch screen, and wherein the second display information comprises at least one user input display.  
   
   
       6 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one user input display comprises an input mechanism for requesting information regarding operation of the machine.  
   
   
       7 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one user input display comprises an input mechanism for requesting a refill operation.  
   
   
       8 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a network interface in communication with the computer.    
   
   
       9 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the network interface comprises a wired network interface.  
   
   
       10 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the network interface comprises a wireless network interface.  
   
   
       11 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the network interface is configured to communicate with a public communication network.  
   
   
       12 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 8 , wherein the network interface is configured to communicate with a private communication network.  
   
   
       13 . The ink cartridge refilling machine of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a user input device, in communication with the computer, for providing input to the program.    
   
   
       14 . A method for operating an ink cartridge refilling machine for use in a retail environment and comprising a display and a proximity sensor, the method comprising: 
 displaying, via the display, first display information;    determining that the proximity sensor has been activated; and    displaying, via the display, second display information regarding ink refilling operations of the ink cartridge refilling machine when it is determined that the proximity sensor has been activated.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein displaying the first display information further comprises displaying at least one of advertisements and informational content.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein displaying the second display information further comprises displaying at least one user input display.  
   
   
       17 . A method for operating an ink cartridge refilling machine for use in a retail environment and comprising a computer and a network interface coupling the machine to a network, the method comprising: 
 determining, by the computer, information regarding ink refill operating conditions of the machine; and    transmitting the information regarding ink refill operating conditions of the machine to the network via the network interface.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transmitting the information further comprises transmitting the information via the network interface and the network to a location that is substantially local to the machine.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transmitting the information further comprises transmitting the information via the network interface and the network to a device that is substantially remote to the machine.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 receiving, from the network via the network interface, at least one program for operating the machine.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 receiving, from the network via the network interface, at least one advertisement to be displayed via a display in communication with the computer.