PRINTING CARTRIDGE MAINTENANCE METHOD, REFILLING SYSTEM OF PRINTING CARTRIDGE INCLUDING COMPUTERIZED REFILLING STATION, AND DEVICE REFILLING SYSTEM

摘要

PURPOSE: A printing cartridge maintenance method, a refilling system of a printing cartridge including a computerized refilling station, and a device refilling system are provided to maintain the printing cartridge by determining a remaining useful life of the printing cartridge and refilling at least a portion of the printing cartridge if the remaining useful life is above a predetermined threshold. CONSTITUTION: A printing cartridge maintenance method includes steps of determining a remaining useful life of a printing cartridge, and refilling at least a portion of the printing cartridge if the remaining useful life is above a predetermined threshold. The step of determining the remaining useful life of the printing cartridge comprises a step of reading history data recorded in a memory device of the printing cartridge. The step of determining the remaining useful life of the printing cartridge comprises a step of comparing the printing history data to predetermined values. A refilling system for the printing cartridge including a computerized filling station comprises a refill receptacle(402) configured to receive the printing cartridge; a supply device(410) of a material which is consumed during operation of the printing cartridge; and a controller(408) for reading data recorded on the printing cartridge and for selectively refilling at least a portion of the printing cartridge in response to the recorded data. The supply device is connected to the refill receptacle.