Method and apparatus for determining an amount of toner within a toner cartridge based on acoustic properties of the toner cartridge
US9110423B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00637
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various techniques are described for acoustically exciting a toner cartridge and acoustically measuring an amount of ink or toner in a toner cartridge by using known resonant shaping structures built into the toner cartridge. As ink or toner is consumed, a resonant shaping structure covered by the ink or toner is partially revealed, changing an acoustic signature received from the toner cartridge. A current level of ink or toner is determined by analyzing the acoustic signature. The current level is used to calibrate a relationship function used to estimate a remaining number of pages that can be printed based on the level of ink or toner remaining in the toner cartridge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.