Printing after consumable exhaustion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a printing device having a replaceable component used to print, a method comprising:
- stopping printing in response to an end-of-life condition of the replaceable component that signifies a potential quality degradation of the printing if the printing is resumed;
outputting a diagnostic reflecting the end-of-life condition; and
resuming the printing in response an input of a demand for resumption of the printing.
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Abstract
A printing device has a replaceable component. Printing by the printing device utilizes the replaceable component. Printing with the printing device is stopped when an end-of-life condition is detected for the replaceable component. The end-of-life condition signifies potential quality degradation if printing with the printing device is resumed. The end-of-life condition is reflected in a diagnostic that is output. In response to an input of a demand for resumption of the printing, the printing can be resumed.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. In a printing device having a replaceable component used to print, a method comprising:
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stopping printing in response to an end-of-life condition of the replaceable component that signifies a potential quality degradation of the printing if the printing is resumed;
outputting a diagnostic reflecting the end-of-life condition; and
resuming the printing in response an input of a demand for resumption of the printing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a printing device having an input mechanism, an output mechanism, a memory, and a replaceable component that is utilized during printing operations of the printing device, a method comprising:
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storing replaceable component usage data in the memory during the printing operations after the replaceable component is installed in the printing device;
estimating from the replaceable component usage data in the memory when the replaceable component is at an end-of-life condition; and
after the estimating of the end-of-life condition;
stopping the printing operations;
outputting a diagnostic to the output mechanism reflecting the end-of-life condition of the replaceable component and a prompt soliciting resumption of the printing operations;
receiving input at the input mechanism for the resumption of the printing operations; and
resuming the printing operations in response to the input at the input mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A printer comprising:
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means used for printing that is exhaustible by the printing;
means for estimating the exhaustion of the means used for printing;
means for stopping printing in response to an estimate by the means for estimating that the means used for printing is exhausted;
means for outputting a diagnostic reflecting the estimated exhaustion; and
means for receiving, in response to the diagnostic, a demand for resumption of the printing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A printer comprising:
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at least one replaceable component installable therein and removable therefrom, the replaceable component having component memory integrated therein;
a storing device configured to store replaceable component usage data in the component memory;
a reader/writer configured to poll the replaceable component usage data and determine an end-of-life condition for the at least one replaceable component when the polled replaceable component usage data is out of variance with at least one predetermined standard corresponding to the at least one replaceable component;
means for stopping printing upon the determination of the end-of-life condition;
means for outputting a diagnostic reflecting the end-of-life condition; and
means for resuming the printing in response to input for the resumption of the printing operations. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A printing device comprising:
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an input mechanism;
an output mechanism;
a printing mechanism;
a plurality of replaceable components used by the printing mechanism to print;
a sensor for each said replaceable component to sense an available quantity thereof;
means, in communication with each said sensor, for estimating from the available quantity a state of exhaustion of the corresponding replaceable component;
means for stopping printing with the printing mechanism in response to one said estimated state of exhaustion;
means for outputting a diagnostic to the output mechanism reflecting the one said estimated state of exhaustion; and
means for resuming the printing with the printing mechanism in response to input at the input mechanism signifying a demand for resumption of the printing operation.
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31. A printing device comprising:
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an input mechanism;
an output mechanism;
a printing mechanism;
a plurality of replaceable components each including at least one supply that is used by the printing mechanism to print;
at least one sensor, respectively corresponding to the at least one supply, to sense an available quantity of the supply; and
a processor to execute instructions to;
estimate a state of exhaustion for each said supply based upon a comparison of a predetermined quantity to the sensed available quantity of the respective supply;
stop printing with the printing mechanism in response to at least one said estimated state of exhaustion;
output a diagnostic to the output mechanism reflecting the at least one said estimated state of exhaustion; and
resume the printing with the printing mechanism in response to input at the input mechanism signifying a demand for resumption of the printing operation.
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32. A toner cartridge installable in and removable from a laser printer, the toner cartridge comprising memory configured to store:
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replaceable component usage data received from a reader/writer located in the laser printer; and
an out-of-toner status received from the reader/writer after the reader/writer estimates, based on the replaceable component usage data, that the toner in the toner cartridge is near exhaustion. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification