Patent ID: 6029018
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method of operating a color laser printer to print a monochrome image, the color laser printer capable of utilizing a plurality of color toner cartridges and a monochrome toner cartridge, the color laser printer including a plurality of toner cartridge ports corresponding in number to the plurality of color toner cartridges and the monochrome toner cartridge, the method comprising the steps of:determining whether at least one of the plurality of color toner cartridges is unavailable for use;if at least one of the plurality of color toner cartridges is unavailable for use, determining whether the monochrome toner cartridge is available for use;if the monochrome toner cartridge is available for use, requiring an operator to confirm that printing in monochrome is desired; andif the operator confirms that printing in monochrome is desired, controlling the printer to print monochrome images of all image data sent to the printer.