Patent ID: 6981754
Filing Date: 2006-01-03
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling an ink melt heater in a solid to liquid ink phasing delivery system for supplying ink to a printer, wherein the phasing system includes a heater disposed to engage a solid ink stick and heat an engaging portion of the ink stick to a liquid phase for communication to a reservoir associated with a print head, the reservoir including an ink level detector, and a controller for selectively supplying power to the heater plate, the method comprising: supplying a predetermined amount of power through the controller to the heater for melting the ink stick to liquid ink for filling the reservoir; measuring with the ink level detector an amount of liquid ink in the reservoir; when the amount of liquid ink is measured to be at a predetermined level, calculating thereafter an amount of ink delivered from the reservoir for printing; and, when the calculating indicates that the amount of ink delivered from the reservoir approximates an amount of ink stored therein at the predetermined level and the level detector indicates that the ink in the reservoir remains below the predetermined level thereby indicative of an ink stick jam, halting the supplying of power to the heater.