Toner yield analysis for monitor and replacement of consumables within a print system
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsJeremy Lee Reitz, Matthew Owen Scrafford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described hereinto to provide a notification when a predetermined event occurs that is related to a consumable. A print engine outputs hard copies based on electronically received data. One or more toner cartridges that are utilized by the print engine to place toner onto a hard copy substrate. A meter monitors and provides a level of remaining toner for each of the one or more cartridges. A yield component receives level data from each meter to compare to an expected yield and an expected grams per impression, wherein if the expected yield and/or the expected grams per impression are outside of a predetermined threshold, a signal is output.
Claims20
A system that provides a notification when a predetermined event occurs that is related to a consumable, comprising:
- a print engine that outputs hard copies based on electronically received data;
- one or more toner cartridges that are utilized by the print engine to place toner onto a hard copy substrate;
- a meter that monitors and provides a level of remaining toner for each of the one or more cartridges;
- and,
- a yield component that receives level data from each meter to compare to an expected yield and an expected grams per impression, the expected yield is equivalent to a rated coverage percentage divided by an average coverage percentage times the yield, the expected grams per impression is equal to a maximum marker capacity divided by the expected yield calculated, wherein if the expected yield and/or the expected grams per impression are outside of a predetermined threshold, a signal is output.
A computer implemented method to calculate an actual yield of a consumable within a device, comprising:
- receiving an impressions count from a black and white meter and a color meter for a device;
- calculating the total impressions for a black toner and a color toner within the device;
- calculating the total grams of toner used by the device;
- calculating adjusted grams of toner based on the time difference between the meter and marker reading;
- calculating adjusted total impressions based on the time difference between the meter and marker reading;
- calculating the actual grams per impression based at least in part upon the adjusted grams of toner and the adjusted total impressions;
- calculating the actual yield based at least in part upon the actual grams per impression and the expected yield;
- and
- sending an output if the actual yield is less than a predetermined threshold.
A computer implemented method to calculate the yield per stick for a device, comprising:
- receiving a total impressions count for a device;
- receiving an expected yield per stick for the device;
- receiving an ink stick count value for the device;
- calculating the yield per stick for the device if there is a change in the stick count value;
- comparing the yield per stick value to a predetermined value;
- and
- outputting a signal if a difference between the yield per stick value is greater than a predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.