FIELD: printing equipment engineering.
SUBSTANCE: for lower costs device has cheap EPROM allowing access to memory elements only in series, said elements being built in ink cartridge and color cartridge. Data array of memory element, which is included in each memory element mounted in ink cartridge, is defined in such a way, that second memory sector, where overwritten data is stored, for example, data about remaining amount of ink in cartridge, is accessed prior to first memory sector, in which read-only data is stored. This configuration provides for reliable writing of overwritten data into second memory sector even after power cut. Second memory sector has two memory partitions, marked out for each type of ink. The latest data about remaining amount of each type of ink is recorded in turns into this two memory partitions. Alternatively, the latest data about remaining amount of each type of ink is recorded into these two memory partitions by means of duplication method. Each memory partition of remaining ink amount has a flag of end of writing for determining whether operation of writing in remaining ink amount memory partition terminated normally.
EFFECT: precise and ceaseless control over remaining amount of respective type of ink.
11 cl, 39 dwg
