Funai Electric Company Ltd.

Lexmark International, Inc.

Marvin Nicholson

Robert Henry Muyskens

Jason McReynolds

David Amos Ward

Mark Doerre

Ricky Earl Robbins

Ricky A Robbins

Jason Todd Vanderpool

Trevor Daniel Gray

Gregory Thomas Webb

Michael Kelley Webb

Hugh Edwin Gilbert

Rickey Robbins

Daivd Ward

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few.

Consumable supply item with fluid sensing and pump enable for micro-fluid applications

Consumable supply item

Consumable supply item with fluid sensing for micro-fluid applications

A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of fluid. Its housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes define a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A volume space filled by the liquid varies along a length of the electrodes. The design facilitates abrupt changes in capacitance values at each change in the volume space. Devices can recalibrate fluid levels at these changes. Electrode interior surfaces face one another. At least one electrode has an open region, such as a hole or a cutout of material. In another design, a support material connects to each electrode to provide mechanical stability and create a region preventing filling by the liquid. Further embodiments contemplate material selection, construction, and modularity, to name a few.

Consumable supply item with capacitive fluid level detection for micro-fluid applications

A power control circuit is connected between a power source and an electronic controller in a device such as a printer and includes a latchable power delivery state for delivering power to an electronic controller of the device. Temporary closure of a switch latches the power control circuit in its power delivery state. The electronic controller subsequently detects temporary closure of the switch and responds with an output signal that unlatches the power control circuit into a power non-delivery state. The power control circuit may include an associated kick-start circuit portion for causing the power control circuit to latch into its power delivery state in response to initial application of power by the power source.

Power control circuit for printers and other devices

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Marvin Nicholson