Method and apparatus for determining toner level in electrophotographic print engines
US6977752B1 · kind B1 · utility
3Cited by
27References
44Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0888
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The toner in the toner cartridge is determined by taking each of the rasterized images output by the RIP and evaluating the pixel levels over the surface thereof. The average value is determined as a percentage of the maximum toner that can be applied to the page. This is then subtracted from a toner value and a remaining toner level determined. Further, all pages of the rasterized document can be evaluated to predetermine the toner level after printing. If this falls below a predetermined minimum, printing is inhibited for that document.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.