INK JET PRINTER AND METHOD OF REPLACING INK CARTRIDGE

摘要

An ink cartridge 8 comprises an IC memory 32 for holding information about the cartridge. At the time the ink cartridge 8 is to be installed in a printing apparatus, its insertion is inhibited at a position before installation by a lock mechanism 35. In this state, the information in the IC memory 32 is read out via a first electrode terminal 33A located on the cartridge side and connected to the IC memory 32 and the propriety of the installation of the ink cartridge to the apparatus is determined. When the ink cartridge is determined to be appropriate, the lock mechanism 35 is unlocked and the ink cartridge 8 can be installed into the printing apparatus. When the ink cartridge 8 is installed in the printing apparatus, data is exchanged between the printing apparatus and the IC memory 32 via a second electrode terminal 33B connected to the IC memory 32. <IMAGE>