The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 02, 1993
Chuin K Lim, Singapore, SG;
Chiau H Ong, Taigin, SG;
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for monitoring actual usage of a battery in an ink-jet printer are described. The apparatus partitions a battery-operated or battery-backed up ink-jet printer into its various current-consuming subsystems or modules including sheet advance motor, carriage motor, printhead, logic and sleep circuitry. Firmware within the printer's controller monitors actual usage of each of the modules as a representation of energy consumption thereby and indicates the remaining battery capacity over the life of the printer. Motor usage is monitored by measuring sheet advance mechanism feed motor and printhead carriage drive motor travel distances; printhead usage is monitored by counting ink-jet firings; logic and sleep circuitry usage also may be monitored by estimating. Remaining battery capacity is determined, and optionally indicated more accurately and at negligible cost.