Estimating a remaining amount of a consumable resource based on a center of mass calculation
First Claim
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
- detecting, by a media level detection module within a housing of a mobile printer, a first center of mass of the mobile printer based on a first signal from a sensor, the mobile printer comprising print media; and
determining, by the media level detection module, a remaining print media level based on comparing the first sensor signal indicating the first center of mass of the mobile printer to a second sensor signal indicating a second center of mass of the mobile printer associated with empty print media level and a third sensor signal indicating a third center of mass of the mobile printer associated with a full print media level.
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Abstract
Systems and method for estimating a remaining amount of a consumable resource are provided. According to one method, a first step of detecting the center of mass of a mobile printer is conducted, wherein the mobile printer comprises print media. The method may also include a step of determining a remaining print media level based on the detected center of mass.
607 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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detecting, by a media level detection module within a housing of a mobile printer, a first center of mass of the mobile printer based on a first signal from a sensor, the mobile printer comprising print media; and determining, by the media level detection module, a remaining print media level based on comparing the first sensor signal indicating the first center of mass of the mobile printer to a second sensor signal indicating a second center of mass of the mobile printer associated with empty print media level and a third sensor signal indicating a third center of mass of the mobile printer associated with a full print media level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A printer comprising:
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a housing; a printing mechanism mounted within the housing, the printing mechanism configured to print onto a print media; and a media level detection module mounted within the housing, the media level detection module configured to; detect the center of mass of the printer based on a first signal from a sensor; and determine a remaining print media level by comparing the first sensor signal indicating a first center of mass of the printer to a second sensor signal indicating a second center of mass of the printer associated with empty print media level and a third sensor signal indicating a third center of mass of the printer associated with a full print media level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device configured to use a consumable resource, the device comprising:
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a housing that includes a containment area where the consumable resource is to be stored; and a detection module configured to; detect the center of mass of the device based on a first signal from a sensor; and determine a remaining level of the consumable resource by comparing the first sensor signal indicating a first center of mass of the device to a second sensor signal indicating a second center of mass of the device associated with empty consumable resource level and a third sensor signal indicating a third center of mass of the device associated with a full consumable resource level. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification