WO2014091215A1

WO2014091215A1 - Information transmission between a controller and an electrical storage device associated with an ink container

Info

Publication number: WO2014091215A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/053237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael James CONNORS; Alexander Roy EDGE
Original assignee: Datel Design and Development Ltd
Current assignee: Datel Design and Development Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-13
Filing date: 2013-12-09
Publication date: 2014-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-13

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for transmitting information to a controller adapted to read data from an electrical storage device associated with a physical ink container (18), the method comprising: a) for a physical ink container (18) defining a plurality of virtual capacities(181, 182,183, 184, 185); b) declaring to the controller an identifier of a current virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities(181, 182, 183, 184, 185); c) calculating a virtual ink volume associated with the current virtual capacity; and d) repeating steps b) and c) for at least one subsequent virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities(181, 182, 183, 184, 185).

Description

Information transmission between a controller and

an electrical storage device associated with an ink container

The present invention concerns a technique for transmitting information to a controller adapted to read data from an electrical storage device associated with an ink container.

Ink-jet printer systems have been known for years, and typically include a printer comprising at least one print head, and at least one replaceable ink container. The print head ejects droplets of ink supplied from the replaceable ink container onto the media, as controlled by the printer.

Some known replaceable ink containers include an electrical storage device readable by a controller of the printer, such that ink volume information may be exchanged efficiently and reliably between the replaceable ink container and the controller.

The electrical storage device usually stores an ink container volume value, specifying an ink volume range of the ink container; and a fill proportion value, specifying a fill proportion of the ink container. Several known solutions model the volume of ink in the ink container, and control the exchange of ink volume information relating to the ink container between the electrical storage device and the controller of the printer.

In a first known model, for example as known from US 6 089 687, the controller determines the ink volume in the replaceable ink container by reading an accurate ink container volume value and an accurate fill proportion value for the ink container, both transmitted by the electrical storage device. In the first model, very accurate ink volume information is exchanged between the electrical storage device and the controller, e.g. in order to determine very accurately the ink remaining in the ink container based on ink usage. The first model thus enables detecting very accurately a possible out-of-ink condition (i.e. when the ink container is empty), which is sometimes desirable because operating the print head without ink could generate failure of the printer. In a second known model, for example known from US 2008/0100648 A1 , the electrical storage device does not transmit an accurate ink container volume value and an accurate fill proportion value, but rather transmits an inaccurate ink container volume value and/or an inaccurate fill proportion value, in order to spoof the controller by causing the controller to determine an incorrect volume of ink in the ink container. The second model thus enables determining an incorrect volume of ink in the ink container, e.g. in order to modify customers' behavior and/or meet customers' expectations.

As described above, the known solutions both model the ink volume in the physical ink container, and control the exchange of ink volume information relating to the physical ink container, which may be complex.

Moreover in the known models the ink volume information exchanged between the electrical storage device and the controller always relate to the volume of ink in the physical ink container. However the fill proportion value is usually a 10-bit binary value which can thus uniquely identify up to 2¹⁰ unique values (i.e. 1 ,024 unique values). The ink volume resolution associated with an ink container (and therefore the accuracy with which the controller can determine the ink volume in the ink container) is thus represented by a maximum ink container volume in the ink container range, divided by a maximum number of identifiable unique values. For example, for a physical ink container volume range of 0-255.75 cubic centimeters (cc), the ink volume resolution R is such that:

„ 255.75cc _{n n F}

R = ∞0.25cc ,

1024

whereas for a physical ink container volume range of 0-2,046cc, the ink volume resolution R is such that:

„ 2046cc _Λ

R = ~ 2cc .

1024

It is therefore understood that for the known solutions, the ink volume resolution decreases as the ink container volume range rises. Therefore, in order to ensure that the print head does not operate in an out-of-ink condition, in the known solutions the printer usually further needs to use a computational drop count and/or a separate independent physical measurement system to further determine ink volume in the ink container, especially for large or extra large ink containers, which may also be complex and expensive.

The inventors of the present invention however discovered that it is, in fact, not necessary to transmit to the controller information relating to the ink volume in the physical ink container, as long as the printer is able to control the print head.

In the invention, the ink volume of the physical ink container is not calculated, contrary to the known solutions, and the solution according to the present invention is therefore much simpler compared to the known solutions.

The invention has several further advantages.

An advantage is that the invention provides great flexibility for the user of the ink container.

As an example of further advantages of the invention, the invention provides a constant and fine ink volume resolution associated with any physical ink container. This is advantageous over the known solutions, because the invention enables accurate detection of an out-of-ink condition without calculating the ink volume in the physical ink container, and further without using a computational drop count and/or a separate independent physical measurement system. Moreover the advantageous ink volume resolution provided by the invention is constant and fine for different ink container ranges, including large volume ranges or even extra large volume ranges, contrary to the known solutions.

Another advantage is that an ink container can be designed for multiple uses. The expected lifetime of the heads may correspond to several times the volume and multiple virtual capacities may be designed and the container refilled each time it is emptied. When the last virtual capacity is exhausted, the ink container may then be discarded. This saves waste and it is economical and environmentally friendly.

Aspects and preferred examples of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

In one aspect, there is provided a method for transmitting information to a controller adapted to read data from an electrical storage device associated with a physical ink container, the method comprising:

a) for a single physical ink container, defining at least first and second virtual capacities (i.e. virtual ink capacities);

b) reporting to the controller an identifier of the first virtual capacity;

c) reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the first virtual capacity as physical ink is used;

d) in response to a trigger, reporting to the controller an identifier of at least one second virtual capacity; and

e) reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity as physical ink is used..

The trigger may comprise emptying of the first virtual capacity or reaching a predetermined portion of the virtual ink volume in the virtual capacity. The method may comprise performing steps d) and e) for all the defined virtual capacities. The method may further comprise:

f) determining that the physical ink container is empty when steps d) and e) have been performed for all the defined virtual capacities.

Steps d) and e) may be performed subsequently for each of the defined virtual capacities. Steps b) and c) may be performed subsequently for each subsequent virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities, and the identifier of a virtual capacity may comprise: a virtual capacity volume value, specifying an ink volume range of the virtual capacity; and

a virtual fill proportion value, specifying a fill proportion of the virtual capacity.

The virtual capacity volume value may belong to one of: sample volume, small volume, standard volume, medium volume, large volume, extra large volume, and the plurality of virtual capacities may comprise n virtual containers, and n may be determined so that an initial ink volume of the physical ink container is a multiple of n, preferably equal to n times a standard volume, or the virtual capacity volume value of each of the n virtual containers may be independent from that of the other virtual containers. Step a) may be performed during an initialization step of a new physical ink container and/or when the physical ink container is refilled with ink.

Reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity as physical ink is used may comprise reporting a virtual ink volume strictly below a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity, or a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity.

In another aspect, there is provided an electrical storage device associated with a physical ink container, configured to:

a) for a single physical ink container, define at least first and second virtual capacities;

b) report to the controller an identifier of the first virtual capacity;

c) report a virtual ink volume associated with the first virtual capacity as physical ink is used;

d) in response to a trigger, report to the controller an identifier of at least one second virtual capacity; and

e) report a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity as physical ink is used.

In another aspect, there is provided a physical ink container comprising a device according to aspects of the invention.

In another aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising program instructions to program a processor to carry out data processing of a method according aspects of the invention, or to program a processor to provide a device according aspects of the invention. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example method in accordance with the invention; Figures 2A and 2B schematically illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an ink-jet printer system including at least one replaceable ink container performing the method of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates an example plurality of virtual capacities declared for a physical ink container;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary volume calculation in the method of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary volume calculation where an identifier of a new virtual capacity is reported before the virtual capacity is determined as empty and where the new capacity is not necessarily reported as at full virtual volume; and

Figure 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary volume calculation where an identifier of a new virtual capacity is reported before the virtual capacity is determined as empty and where the new capacity is not necessarily reported as at full virtual volume.

With reference to the drawings in general, it will be appreciated that similar features or elements bear identical reference signs. It will also be appreciated that the Figures are not to scale and that for example relative dimensions may have been altered in the interest of clarity in the drawings. Also any functional block diagrams are intended simply to show the functionality that exists within the device and should not be taken to imply that each block shown in the functional block diagram is necessarily a discrete or separate entity. The functionality provided by a block may be discrete or may be dispersed throughout the device or throughout a part of the device. In addition, the functionality may incorporate, where appropriate, hard-wired elements, software elements or firmware elements or any combination of these, with software implementation facilitating the updating of the functionality.

An aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, illustrating a method for transmitting information to a controller 26 adapted to read data from an electrical storage device 200 associated with a physical ink container 18.

FIG. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an ink-jet printer system 10 including a printer portion 12 having at least one replaceable print head 16, and at least one replaceable ink container 18, including a reservoir 28 for storing ink therein, for providing ink to the print head 16, via at least one conduit 20. The printer portion 12 includes an ink container receiving station 24 adapted to provide an electrical and a fluidic coupling between the ink container 18 and the printer portion 12.

The printer portion 12 also includes a controller 26 which controls notably the transfer of information between the printer portion 12 and the ink container 18. The controller 26 is typically implemented with a microprocessor or some form of programmable controller. The ink container 18 comprises an electrical circuit 201 , preferably mounted on a circuit board, comprising an information storage device such as an electrical storage device (or memory) 200 for storing information. The electrical storage device 200 according to the present invention may be, as known from the person skilled in the art, suitably implemented as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a programmable gate array, a custom or semi-custom integrated circuit, a memory device, or the like. The electrical storage device 200 may be attached to a new ink container 18 or to a used ink container 18, for example during an ink refilling step.

The circuit 201 comprises a plurality of electrical contacts 242, and the electrical storage device 200 is attached to the ink container 18 so that, when the ink container 18 is inserted into the ink container receiving station 24, the plurality of electrical contacts 242 cooperate with a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts 42, provided in the ink container receiving station 24 and electrically connected to the controller 26 via electrical conductors 44.

As shown in FIG. 1 in operation, in SO when the printer system 10 is powered up or when the ink container 18 is newly installed, the controller 26 initiates a read request to the device 200. The request by the controller 26 usually expects a response containing an ink container volume value, specifying an ink volume range of an ink container; and a fill proportion value, specifying a fill proportion of the ink container.

As it will be apparent from the description below, the electrical storage device 200 is configured to perform operation and functionality in order to allow operation of the printer system 10 with an ink container 18 (either new or refilled). For example, the electrical storage device 200 may be configured to operate as a memory element, allowing read and write accesses to various memory locations to the printer system 10, thus storing and providing to the printer system 10 data enabling the printer system 10 to operate and to control the print head 16.

However as it will also be appreciated from the description below, in aspects of the invention, the controller 26 does not calculate the ink volume in the physical ink container 18.

An exemplary method according to the invention comprises in S1 defining a plurality of virtual capacities for the physical ink container 18. S1 is preferably performed by the electrical storage device 200, and may be performed during an initialization step of a new physical ink container 18 and/or or when a used physical ink container 18 is refilled with ink. The plurality of virtual capacities may comprise any number n of virtual capacities, such that:

n≥2.

As shown in FIG. 3 in an example, n=5 and the virtual capacities are referred to as 181 , 182, 183, 184 and 185 respectively.

In S2 the device 200 sends a response to the request of the controller 26, and declares to the controller 26 an identifier of a current virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities, such as a first virtual capacity 181. The identifier of the current virtual capacity 181 may comprise any data suitable for identifying the virtual capacity 181 , such as a reference/series/sequence/id number data. The identifier of the current virtual capacity 181 preferably also comprises:

a virtual capacity volume value, specifying an ink volume range of the current virtual capacity 181 ; and

a virtual fill proportion value, specifying a fill proportion of the current virtual capacity 181.

As already explained in the introductory part of the specification, the virtual capacity volume value may be a two-bit binary value, and the virtual fill proportion value may be a 10-bit binary value uniquely identifying up to 2¹⁰ unique values (i.e. 1 ,024 unique values) identifying the proportion of the virtual capacity volume range that represents the ink volume associated with the current virtual capacity 181. The printer system 10 is therefore able to control the print head 16, since the device 200 sends a response to the request of the controller 26, with the response containing an ink container volume value and a fill proportion value, i.e. data having a predefined format expected by the controller 26, such as a two-bit value and a 10-bit value respectively. The printer system 10 is thus ready for accepting a print command from a host, such as a computer, without information relating to the ink volume in the physical ink container 18 being transmitted to the controller 26, and without the ink volume in the physical ink container 18 being calculated.

In examples, the virtual capacity volume value preferably belongs to one of:

- sample volume V_sampie, i.e. an ad hoc volume of any predetermined value; or

- a predetermined small volume V_sman, such that

0 < V_small < 255.75cc

typically V_smaii being equal to 100 cubic centimeters (cc); or

- a predetermined standard volume V_standard, such that:

255.75cc≤V_{stw dard} < 5 U .50cc

typically V_standard being equal to 255.75cc; or

- a predetermined medium volume V_medium, such that:

5 U .50cc≤V_medmm < \023cc

typically V_medium being equal to 51 1.50cc; or

- a predetermined large volume Vi_arge, such that:

\ 023cc≤V_{l iag e} < 2046cc

typically Vi_arge being equal to 1023cc; or

a predetermined extra large volume V_extraiarge, such as typically a volume equal or superior to 2046 cc.

It is appreciated that other examples for the predetermined values of V_sman, Vstandard,

Vmedium, Varge, ΟΓ V_extralarge are alSO pOSSlble. ln an example, the two-bit binary value of the virtual capacity volume value may be used to uniquely identify each of four ink container volume ranges among the six possible values listed above. For example:

the two-bit binary value "00" may identify a virtual capacity volume range of V_standard.

the value "01" may identify a virtual capacity volume range of V_medium,

the value "10" may identify a virtual capacity volume range of Vi_arge, and

the value "1 1" may identify a virtual capacity volume range of V_extraiarge- In other examples, all of the two-bit binary values may identify a predetermined sample volume Vsampie, such as 102.30CC.

In other examples preferably in S1 the defined plurality of virtual capacities comprises n virtual containers, and n is determined so that an initial ink volume in the physical ink container 18 is a multiple of n, preferably equal to n times a standard volume V_standard (for example 255.75cc). For example for a physical ink container 18 of 1023cc, the plurality of virtual capacities comprises four virtual containers 181 -184, each having a standard volume V_standard of 255.75cc. It is appreciated that other examples are possible. For example for a physical ink container 18 of 51 1.50cc, the plurality of virtual capacities may comprise five virtual containers 181 , 182, 183, 184 and 185, each having an ad hoc sample volume V_sampie of 102.30cc.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in S3 the controller 26 calculates a virtual ink volume associated with the current virtual capacity 181 , using the virtual capacity volume value and the virtual fill proportion value.

In examples in S4 it is determined if the current virtual capacity, such as virtual capacity 181 , is empty, i.e. whether the calculated volume is equal to zero (within a resolution R as described in more detail below).

If it is determined in S4 that the current virtual container 181 is not empty, then preferably S3 is performed until the current virtual capacity is determined as empty. If in S4 the current virtual capacity 181 is determined as empty, in examples in S5 it is determined if a subsequent virtual capacity such as 182, 183, 184 or 185 is available.

If in S5 there is at least a subsequent virtual capacity available, it will be appreciated that S2 and S3 are repeated for at least one subsequent virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities, e.g. a second virtual capacity 182 and/or a third virtual capacity 183 and/or a fourth virtual capacity 184 and/or a fifth virtual capacity 185, preferably for each subsequent virtual capacity of the plurality of virtual capacities 182, 183, 184 and 185. In examples a subsequent virtual capacity, e.g. virtual capacity 182, is set in S6 as the current virtual capacity, and S2 is performed as already described above. Each time a new virtual capacity is declared to the controller 26, the controller 26 interprets the declaration as if a new physical ink container was introduced in the ink container station 24, although it is understood that the physical ink container 18 is not removed from the station 24 and a new physical ink container is not placed in the station 24.

If in S5 it is determined that no other virtual capacity is available, then the physical ink container 18 is determined as empty in S7, and operation of the printer system 10 can be stopped in order to avoid operation in an out-of-ink condition. The physical ink container 18 can then be replaced by a new physical ink container or can be refilled.

FIG. 4 depicts a curve of the determination of the ink volume in the virtual capacities 181 , 182, 183, 184 and 185.

As it will be appreciated from curve 400 of FIG. 4, by defining a plurality of virtual capacities, the ink volume resolution R provided by the invention is constant and fine for different ink container ranges, including large volume ranges or even extra large volume ranges. It is indeed possible to define as many virtual capacities as necessary to obtain a desired constant and fine resolution R. For example, for a fill proportion value equal to a

10-bit binary value identifying up to 1 ,024 unique values, and for a physical ink container of 511 ,50cc (i.e. a medium volume), it is possible to declare two virtual capacities of

255.75cc, such that the ink volume resolution R for each virtual capacity is such that:

„ 255.75cc _{n n F}

R = ∞0.25cc .

1024 Similarly for a physical ink container of 2,046cc (i.e. an extra large volume), it is possible to declare eight virtual capacities of 255.75cc, such that the ink volume resolution R for each virtual capacity is still such that:

„ 255.75cc _{n n F}

R = ∞0.25cc .

1024

It is understood that the invention enables accurate detection of an out-of-ink condition (for example with a resolution R of 0.25cc), even for physical ink container of extra large volumes, without calculating the ink volume in the physical ink container, and further without using a computational drop count and/or a separate independent physical measurement system.

Modifications and Alternatives

Detailed embodiments have been described above. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a number of modifications and alternatives can be made to the above embodiments whilst still benefiting from the inventions embodied therein.

In examples, as shown in Figure 5, it may be decided that reporting of a subsequent virtual capacity is performed even if the current virtual capacity is not determined as empty. Therefore, in these examples in response to a trigger (the trigger being e.g. that a portion of the virtual capacity is reach, e.g. 30% of virtual ink volume), an identifier of a subsequent virtual capacity is reported to the controller 26. These examples have the advantages that reporting of a subsequent virtual capacity is performed before an error message or ink container empty message is sent or displayed to the user of the ink container. In some examples, only the last declared virtual capacity is declared as empty and therefore only one error message or ink container empty message is sent for the ink container, when the ink container is empty. Alternatively, it is possible not to declare the container as empty.

Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, in other examples, the newly reported virtual capacity does not start with full virtual ink volume. The first virtual capacity 181 may start e.g. at full virtual ink capacity (or even 70% of virtual ink volume - not shown), the second virtual capacity 182 may start, e.g. at 70% of virtual ink volume, the third virtual capacity 183 may start e.g. at 40% of virtual ink volume), etc., or the last one (here 184) may be declared at full capacity for instance.

In examples, as shown in Figure 6, similarly to what is shown in FIG. 5, it may be decided that reporting of a subsequent virtual capacity is performed even if the current virtual capacity is not determined as empty. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the curve may be continuously decreasing instead of having peaks as shown in Figures 4 and 5, by going e.g., from 100% to 80% on a first virtual capacity, from 80% to 40% on a second virtual capacity and from 40% to empty on a third virtual capacity. For example, the slopes could also be different, with virtual capacities having different virtual ink volumes (e.g. 50cc for the first one 181 , 200cc for the second one 182, and 50cc for the third one 183). This example embodiment may provide a more regular and continuous reporting and may provide more flexibility.

As explained above physical ink containers may have different ink volumes, i.e. ink containers may have different sizes with each size having a different volume associated therewith or may have the same size with different volumes of ink in each of the ink containers.

Where software are provided, they may be provided, as appropriate, in compiled or un- compiled form and may be supplied as a signal over a computer or telecommunications network, or on a computer storage medium such as for instance a disc, an optical disc or a CD ROM.

Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting information to a controller (26) adapted to read data from an electrical storage device (200) associated with a physical ink container (18), the method comprising:

a) for a single physical ink container (18), defining at least first and second virtual capacities (181 , 182);

b) reporting to the controller (26) an identifier of the first virtual capacity (181 ); c) reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the first virtual capacity (181 ) as physical ink is used;

d) in response to a trigger, reporting to the controller (26) an identifier of at least one second virtual capacity (182); and

e) reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity (182) as physical ink is used.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the trigger comprises emptying of the first virtual capacity (181 ) or reaching a predetermined portion of the virtual ink volume in the virtual capacity.

3. The method of any one of claim 1 or 2, comprising performing steps d) and e) for all the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

f) determining that the physical ink container (18) is empty when steps d) and e) have been performed for all the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein steps d) and e) are performed subsequently for each of the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the identifier of a virtual capacity comprises:

a virtual capacity volume value, specifying an ink volume range of the virtual capacity; and a virtual fill proportion value, specifying a fill proportion of the virtual capacity.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the virtual capacity volume value belongs to one of: sample volume, small volume, standard volume, medium volume, large volume, extra large volume.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising declaring n virtual containers, and wherein n is determined so that an initial ink volume of the physical ink container (18) is a multiple of n, preferably equal to n times a standard volume, or wherein the virtual capacity volume value of each of the n virtual containers is independent from that of the other virtual containers.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein step a) is performed during an initialization step of a new physical ink container (18) and/or when the physical ink container (18) is refilled with ink.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein reporting a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity (182) as physical ink is used comprises reporting a virtual ink volume strictly below a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity, or a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity.

1 1. An electrical storage device (200) associated with a physical ink container (18), configured to:

a) for a single physical ink container (18), define at least first and second virtual capacities (181 , 182);

b) report to the controller (26) an identifier of the first virtual capacity (181);

c) report a virtual ink volume associated with the first virtual capacity (181 ) as physical ink is used;

d) in response to a trigger, report to the controller (26) an identifier of at least one second virtual capacity (182); and

e) report a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity (182) as physical ink is used.

12. The device of claim 1 1 , wherein the trigger comprises emptying of the first virtual capacity (181 ) or reaching a predetermined portion of the virtual ink volume in the virtual capacity.

5 13. The device of any one of claim 1 1 or 12, configured to perform steps d) and e) for all the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

14. The device of any one of claims 1 1 to 13, further configured to:

f) determine that the physical ink container (18) is empty when steps d) and e) 10 have been performed for all the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

15. The device of any one of claims 1 1 to 14, configured to perform steps d) and e) subsequently for each of the defined virtual capacities (181 , 182, 183, 184, 185).

15 16. The device of any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the identifier of a virtual capacity comprises:

a virtual capacity volume value, specifying an ink volume range of the virtual capacity; and

20

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the virtual capacity volume value belongs to one of: sample volume, small volume, standard volume, medium volume, large volume, extra large volume.

25 18. The device of claim 17, configured to declare n virtual containers, and wherein n is determined so that an initial ink volume of the physical ink container (18) is a multiple of n, preferably equal to n times a standard volume, or wherein the virtual capacity volume value of each of the n virtual containers is independent from that of the other virtual containers.

30

19. The device of any one of claims 1 1 to 18, configured to perform step a) during an initialization step of a new physical ink container (18) and/or when the physical ink container (18) is refilled with ink.

20. The device of any one of claims 1 1 to 19, configured to perform reporting of a virtual ink volume associated with the at least one second virtual capacity (182) as physical ink is used comprising reporting of a virtual ink volume strictly below a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity, or a full virtual ink volume for the virtual capacity.

21. A physical ink container (18) comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 1 to 20.

22. A computer program product comprising program instructions to program a processor to carry out data processing of a method according to any of claims 1 to 10 or to program a processor to provide a device (200) of any of claims 1 1 to 20.