Patent ID: 8562091
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: B41J,G01F

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring an ink level in an ink reservoir comprising: dissipating heat in a thermistor positioned within an ink reservoir, the thermistor having an electrical conductor that extends from the thermistor, a length of the electrical conductor extending through and being exposed within at least a portion of the ink reservoir; providing electrical power through the electrical conductor to the thermistor to maintain the thermistor at a predetermined temperature that is a fixed differential above a temperature of the ink reservoir; measuring a parameter that corresponds to the heat dissipated from the thermistor and the length of the electrical conductor extending through and being exposed within the portion of the ink reservoir; and correlating the measured parameter to a predetermined value corresponding to an ink level in the ink reservoir to detect a position of the ink level in the reservoir continuously along the length of the electrical conductor and the thermistor.