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:
Jan. 21, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 13, 2001
Kevin Owen, Meridian, ID (US);
Trevor Wells, Vancouver, WA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A printer system calculates toner (or other marking agent) levels in a toner cartridge over an upper portion of the cartridge, while sensing toner levels in the remaining lower portion of the cartridge. The system provides the accuracy of a sensed toner environment when it is most needed, during the latter portion of a toner cartridge lifespan. A less accurate, but useful method of calculating the toner level is employed during the earlier stages of the toner cartridge lifespan. Thus, the system avoids the high cost associated with a completely sensed toner environment while providing the increased accuracy of a sensed toner environment when it is most beneficial to the system user.