Patent ID: 6428132
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B41J,G07B

Abstract:
A method for determining a number of normal imprints implementable with a remaining ink quantity in a printing device having at least one ink jet print head, comprising the steps of:monitoring an ink quantity in an ink container connected to an ink jet print head as said ink jet print head is operated over time and consumes ink from said container including identifying a quantity of ink consumed by said printer each time as ink jet print head prints a normal imprint and calculating a number of said normal imprints implementable by said ink jet print head using a first computational algorithm; sensing when a predetermined remaining ink quantity exists as a reserve for printing a predetermined number of imprints with said ink jet print head, and thereupon emitting a sensor signal; and starting from a time at which said sensor signal is emitted, computationally determining a number of said normal imprints implementable by said ink jet print head using ink from said reserve using a second computational algorithm different from said first computational algorithm.