Patent ID: 6275664
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B41J,G03G

Abstract:
In a printer network including a host computer and at least one printing device wherein a reservoir contains a marking material for creating images on a print media, and includes a means for determining the amount of marking material in the reservoir and a processor, a method for determining whether or not sufficient marking material remains to complete a print job submitted by a user, comprising the steps of:determining an average amount of marking material required per printed page, wherein the average amount of marking material required per printed page comprises the average amount of marking material required for all previously printed pages over the lifetime of the printing device, the amount of marking material required for each printed page being calculated as the page is printed;calculating a standard deviation for the amount of marking material required for all previously printed pages;determining the amount of marking material remaining in the reservoir;determining the number of pages in a submitted print job;calculating the amount of marking material required to print the submitted print job; andnotifying the user in the event insufficient marking material remains in the reservoir to complete the submitted print job.