Patent ID: 6503012
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A removable cartridge with sheets that are to be removed from the cartridge and used by an apparatus comprising:a) a housing for containing the sheets which are to be sequentially used by the apparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the apparatus; b) means provided in the housing for permitting sheets to be fed by the apparatus from the cartridge; and c) a display provided on the housing which is viewable by a user when the cartridge is removed from the apparatus to indicate the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge, including: i) the display having a plurality of selectable digit elements each of which corresponds to a particular number, each selectable digit element containing cholesteric liquid crystals when selectively activated indicate a number that corresponds to the number of sheets remaining in the cartridge, and provide a measurable parameter; ii) the apparatus including circuitry being responsive to the measurable parameter to determine the number provided on the display and to change the selectable digit elements to indicate a new number in response electrical signals provided by the apparatus indicating that a sheet has been removed from the cartridge and inserted into the apparatus and which continues to indicate the present number of sheets remaining in the cartridge after such cartridge has been removed from the apparatus.