Patent ID: 6244680
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B41J,G01F

Abstract:
A device for detecting a quantity of a product remaining in a reservoir subjected, during use of the product, to a driving movement by driving means for driving the reservoir, said device comprising:control means for controlling the driving means in accordance with reference signals representing target movements of the driving means, said reference signals including at least one test reference signal; anddetecting means for detecting position of the reservoir in response to the test reference signal;wherein said test reference signal includes a first signal interval to move the reservoir a predetermined distance from a home position in a first direction, a second signal interval to move the reservoir in a predetermined number of accelerations and decelerations in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a third signal interval to move the reservoir back to the home position;wherein the driving means undergoes slippage in response to the second signal interval, an amount of the slippage dependent upon the amount of product in the reservoir; andwhereby the quantity of product remaining in the reservoir is detected from the detected position.