| abstract |
A printer includes a processor and a replaceable ink cartridge includes a first integrated circuit (IC). The first IC contains print quality information and can be interfaced to the processor in a releasable manner. A printhead is interfaced to the processor and is configured to print ink supplied from the ink cartridge using the print quality information. A second IC is interfaced to the processor which, in turn, is configured to: count the number of drops of ink printed by the printhead, update a remaining drop count of the ink cartridge using the counted drops printed, and then write the updated remaining drop count to the second IC. |