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:
Mar. 14, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2003
Hiroshi Nakazato, Nagano-ken, JP;
Hiroshi Nakazato, Nagano-ken, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
During an ordinary image forming operation, the number of print dots is counted based on an image signal, and a toner consumption amount is calculated from the result. Meanwhile, during an operation under a non-ordinary mode which is different from the ordinary image forming operation, a test pattern offset value Totn is extracted as a toner consumption amount which corresponds to the operation (Step S). The test pattern offset value Totn and a drive offset value Todn, which corresponds to the amount of toner which is scattered into inside an apparatus, are subtracted from a remaining toner amount Tr which is stored in a memory, whereby a remaining toner amount of toner remaining in the developerY after the operation is calculated (Steps Sthrough S).