US5636032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for informing a user of a marking material status in a printing environment
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1995-10-11
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Granted: 1997-06-03
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Expires: 2015-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for informing a user about characteristics of a marking material cartridge in a printing system. The system calculates a number of pixels being rendered in a present job and calculates an amount of marking material used to render the present job. The system also calculates a total area coverage to date for the marking material cartridge. Form this information an expected number of pages that the marking material cartridge can render is determined and displayed. The system determines a date when marking material in the marking material cartridge will be depleted and displays the date. The system also calculates an average coverage amount for a page being presently rendered. It can also calculate per page costs of the page currently being printed, and the pages printed to date. Additionally, the cost benefits of draft or other reduced print quality modes can be calculated and displayed. The method and system is equally applicable to black and white or color printing.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian E. Springett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/55; G03G15/553; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856; G03G15/556
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for informing a user about a life-expectancy of a marking material cartridge in a printing system, comprising: a printer: first means for calculating a number of pixels being rendered in a present job by said printer; second means, operatively connected to said first means, for calculating an amount of marking material used to render the present job; third means, operatively connected to said second means, for calculating a total area coverage to date; fourth means, operatively connected to said third means, for calculating an expected number of pages that the marking material cartridge can render based on the total area coverage to date; and display means for displaying the number of pages remaining in the marking material cartridge.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for informing a user about a life-expectancy of a marking material cartridge in a printing system, comprising: a printer: first means for calculating a number of pixels being rendered in a present job by said printer; second means, operatively connected to said first means, for calculating an amount of marking material used to render the present job; third means, operatively connected to said second means, for calculating a total area coverage to date; fourth means, operatively connected to said third means, for calculating an expected number of pages that the marking material cartridge can render based on the total area coverage to date; and display means for displaying the number of pages remaining in the marking material cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fourth means determines a date when marking material in the marking material cartridge will be depleted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said display means displays said date when the marking material will be depleted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third means calculates an average coverage amount for a page being presently rendered.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third means calculates an average coverage amount for a job being presently rendered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing system is a color system and said first, second, third, and fourth means perform the calculations for each color marking material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking material cartridge contains toner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking material cartridge contains ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marking material container comprises: electronic signaling means for providing to said printer information identifying a type of marking material container being installed in the printing system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the marking material container comprises: electronic signaling means for providing to said printer information identifying a type of marking material container being installed in the printing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the marking material container comprises: electronic signaling means for providing to said printer information identifying a type of marking material container being installed in the printing system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for informing a user about characteristics of a marking material cartridge in a printing system, comprising: (a) calculating a number of pixels being rendered in a present job by a printer; (b) calculating an amount of marking material used to render the present job; (c) calculating a total area coverage to date; (d) calculating an expected number of pages that the marking material cartridge can render based on the total area coverage; and (e) displaying the number of pages remaining in the marking material cartridge.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for informing a user about characteristics of a marking material cartridge in a printing system, comprising: (a) calculating a number of pixels being rendered in a present job by a printer; (b) calculating an amount of marking material used to render the present job; (c) calculating a total area coverage to date; (d) calculating an expected number of pages that the marking material cartridge can render based on the total area coverage; and (e) displaying the number of pages remaining in the marking material cartridge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step (d) determines a date when marking material in the marking material cartridge will be depleted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step (e) displays the date when the marking material will be depleted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step (c) calculates an average coverage amount for a page being presently rendered.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step (c) calculates an average coverage amount for a job being presently rendered.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of: (f) placing the printing system into a marking material savings mode; said step (c) calculating an amount of marking material saved using the marking material savings mode; said step (e) displaying the amount of marking material saved.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the printing system is color and said steps (a), (b), (c), and (d) perform the calculations for each color marking material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of: (f) providing to the printer information identifying a type of marking material container being installed in the printing system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-02 | 2000-12-02 | 2001-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | 2005-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-02 | 2008-12-02 | 2009-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |