English:
[0001] Modern printing systems, such as laser printers, print images on substrates using printing fluid (e.g., ink, toner, or the like). The printing fluid may be dispensed from a disposable or refillable cartridge which contains an amount of printing fluid sufficient to print a finite number of pages. When the printing fluid is used up, the printing system may not be able to print further pages until the cartridge is replaced or refilled. Thus, users of the printing system may find it helpful to know how many more pages the system is capable of printing, so that they can plan their print jobs and/or obtain replacement cartridges accordingly.
[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of one example of a printing system of the present disclosure;
[0003] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a first example method for displaying an approximate pages remaining indicator;
[0004] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a second example method for displaying an approximate pages remaining indicator;
[0005] FIG. 4 is a graphic summarizing the method of FIG. 3; and
[0007] In one example, the present disclosure describes an apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for displaying approximate pages remaining (APR) data with increasing precision. As discussed above, users of a printing system may find it helpful to know how many more pages the system is capable of printing before it runs out of printing fluid. For example, if a print job contains a greater number of pages than the printing system can print from the current supply of printing fluid, the user may wish to replace one or more printing fluid cartridges before sending the print job to the printing system. Many printing systems are capable of estimating the APR (i.e., the number of pages that can be printed from the current supply of printing fluid) for a cartridge. The APR may be estimated, for example, based on the number of drops of printing fluid contained in the cartridge. These estimates can, in turn, be displayed in a way that is visible to users.
[0008] In order for the estimates to be useful, however, a certain degree of precision is desired at certain times. For example, when the cartridge is relatively fresh, and the printer can print 10,000 pages or more from the current printing fluid supply, users may not desire a high degree of precision (e.g., it may be enough to simply know that the APR is well in excess of their print job). However, when the cartridge is approaching empty, a higher degree of precision may be more useful (e.g., it may be helpful to know that the limited amount of printing fluid remaining is enough to complete a given print job). If the estimated APR is not precise enough to assure a user that his print job can be completed, he may be inclined to replace or refill the cartridge before it is actually empty, thereby wasting money and usable printing fluid.
[0009] Examples of the present disclosure display approximate pages remaining data with increasing precision as the total amount of available printing fluid decreases. In one example, when a sensor detects that print jobs are currently being printed from a reserve of printing fluid rather than from the printing fluid supply of the cartridge, the displayed APR begins to count down the number of pages remaining in smaller intervals than previously used. Thus, when there is less available printing fluid, the displayed APR becomes more precise. This allows users to better gauge whether their print jobs can be completed before the printing system runs out of printing fluid.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of one example of a printing system 100 of the present disclosure. The system 100 is configured to print images on substrates (e.g., paper) using printing fluid (e.g., ink, toner, or the like). For instance, in one example, the printing system 100 is a laser printer. In one example, the system 100 includes a printing fluid supply 102, printing fluid reserve 104, a sensor 106, a processor 108, and a display 1 10.
[0012] The printing fluid reserve 104 also comprises a finite amount of printing fluid. In one example, the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid reserve 104 when full is less than the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 when full. For instance, in one example, the printing fluid reserve 104 when full contains enough printing fluid to print approximately 500 pages, whereas the printing fluid supply 102 when full may contain enough printing fluid to print 10,000 pages or more.
[0013] The sensor 106 is configured to detect when the printing fluid supply 102 is empty. In one example, the sensor 106 may be configured to detect this through a measure of a resistance, a capacitance, or an inductance between two pins that are in contact with the printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102.
[0014] The processor 108 is configured to generate an estimate of the APR, based on the total amount of available printing fluid. In one example, the total amount of available printing fluid includes both the printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 and the printing fluid in the printing fluid reserve 104. In one example, discussed in further detail in connection with FIG. 2, the processor 108 increases the precision with which the APR is estimated when it receives a signal from the sensor 106 indicating that the printing fluid supply 102 is empty (e.g., which, in turn, indicates that jobs are currently being printed from the printing fluid reserve
[0015] The display 1 10 is configured to receive signals from the processor 108. The signals contain data indicating the current APR of the system 100. In one example, the display 1 10 is a local display of the printing system 100 (e.g., a display that is built into the printing system 100). In another example, the display 1 10 is a remote display on a device that is communicatively coupled to the printing system 100 (e.g., the monitor of a remote computing device that is communicatively coupled to the printing system 100 over a network).
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a first example method 200 for displaying an approximate pages remaining indicator. The method 200 may be performed, for example, by the printing system 100 of FIG. 1 . Alternatively, or in addition, at least one of the blocks of the method 200 may be implemented by a computing device having a processor, a memory, and input/output devices as illustrated below in FIG. 4, specifically programmed to perform the blocks of the method 200, e.g., by operating as a control circuit for the printing system 100. Although a computing device may be specifically programmed to perform various blocks of the method 200, the method 200 is described in terms of an example where blocks of the method 200 are performed by a printing system, such as the printing system 100 of FIG. 1 .
[0017] The method 200 begins in block 202. In block 204, the display 1 10 displays an estimate of the number of pages that can be printed from the total amount of currently available printing fluid in the printing system 100 (i.e., the printing fluid currently contained in the printing fluid supply 102 plus the printing fluid currently contained in the printing fluid reserve 104).
[0018] In block 206, processor 108 determines whether it has received a signal from the sensor 106 indicating that the printing fluid supply 102 is empty. If the processor concludes in block 206 that it has not received a signal from the sensor 106 indicating that the printing fluid supply 102 is empty, then the method continues to block 208.
[0019] In block 208, the display 1 10 decrements the estimate of the number of pages remaining in amounts of a first interval. In one example, the first interval may be an interval of 1 ,000. Thus, the display 1 10 displays the estimated number of pages remaining rounded to the nearest 1 ,000 pages, and decreases the displayed estimate every time another 1 ,000 pages are printed. For instance, the display 1 10 may display an estimate of 9,000 pages remaining. Once approximately 1 ,000 pages are printed, the display will change the displayed estimate to 8,000 pages remaining, and so on. The method 200 then returns to block 206, and the processor 108 continues to wait for a signal from the sensor 106.
[0020] If, on the other hand, the processor concludes in block 206 that it has received a signal from the sensor 106 indicating that the printing fluid supply 102 is empty, then the method continues to block 210.
[0021] In block 210, the display 1 10 decrements the estimate of the number of pages remaining in amounts of a second interval that is smaller than the first interval. In one example, the second interval is one-tenth or one-twentieth the size of the first interval. For example, if the first interval is an interval of 1 ,000, the second interval may be an interval of 100 or 50. Thus, the display 1 10 displays the estimated number of pages remaining rounded to the nearest 100 pages, and decreases the displayed estimate every time another 100 pages are printed. For instance, the display 1 10 may display an estimate of 500 pages remaining. Once approximately 100 pages are printed, the display will change the displayed estimate to 400 pages remaining, and so on.
[0022] The method 200 ends in block 212. The printing system 100 may continue to process print jobs after block 210 is performed, until the printing system 100 runs out of printing fluid or until a user halts the printing system 100 in order to replenish the printing fluid (e.g., by replacing one or more cartridges).
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a second example method 300 for displaying an approximate pages remaining indicator. In particular, the method 300 presents a more detailed implementation of the method 200 discussed above. Thus, the method 300 may also be performed, for example, by the printing system 100 of FIG. 1 . Alternatively, or in addition, at least one of the blocks of the method 300 may be implemented by a computing device having a processor, a memory, and input/output devices as illustrated below in FIG. 4, specifically programmed to perform the blocks of the method 300, e.g., by operating as a control circuit for the printing system 100. Although a computing device may be specifically programmed to perform various blocks of the method 300, the method 300 will now be described in terms of an example where blocks of the method 300 are performed by a printing system, such as the printing system 100 of FIG. 1 .
[0024] The method 300 begins in block 302. In block 304, the processor initializes an approximate pages remaining (APR) count. The APR count is based on the total amount of printing fluid (e.g., number of drops) currently available to the printing system 100, which in one example is the sum of the printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 and the printing fluid in the printing fluid reserve 104. Thus, when the printing fluid supply 102 is full (e.g., when a new cartridge has just been installed), the APR count may be very large (e.g., 10,000 pages or more).
[0025] In block 306, the display 1 10 displays the APR in accordance with the current APR count. As discussed above, the display 1 10 may be a local display of the printing system 100 (e.g., a display that is built into the printing system 100) or a remote display on a device that is communicatively coupled to the printing system 100 (e.g., the monitor of a remote computing device that is communicatively coupled to the printing system 100 over a network).
[0026] In block 308, the processor 108 monitors the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 as the printing system 100 processes print jobs. That is, as the printing system 100 processes print jobs, the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 will gradually decrease. The processor 108 may receive signals from the sensor 106, from which the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 can be determined.
[0027] In block 310, the processor 108 determines whether the total amount of available printing fluid (i.e., the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102, as indicated by the sensor 106, plus the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid reserve 106) is at least as much as a predefined threshold amount of printing fluid. In one example, the predefined threshold is a certain percentage (e.g., 20%) of the total amount of available printing fluid when the printing fluid supply 102 is full (e.g., the amount on which the initialized APR count is based in block 304). In another example, the predefined threshold is a certain number of pages (e.g., 4,000) that can be printed from the total amount of available printing fluid.
[0028] If the total amount of available printing fluid is determined in block 310 to be at least as much as the predefined threshold, then the method 300 proceeds to block 312. In block 312, the processor decrements the APR count in amounts of a first interval as the printing system continues to process print jobs. In one example, the first interval may be an interval of 1 ,000. Thus, the APR count may be rounded to the nearest 1 ,000 pages, and decrease every time another 1 ,000 pages are printed. For instance, the APR may hold steady for a time at an estimate of 9,000 pages remaining. Once approximately 1 ,000 pages are printed, the APR count will change to 8,000 pages remaining, and so on.
[0029] If, on the other hand, the total amount of available printing fluid is determined in block 310 to be less than the predefined threshold, then the method 300 proceeds to block 314. In block 314, the processor decrements the APR count in amounts of a second interval as the printing system continues to process print jobs. In one example, the second interval is the same as the first interval (e.g., every 1 ,000 pages printed). In another example, however, the second interval is different from the first interval.
[0030] As the APR count is decremented in amounts according to the appropriate interval (e.g. , in accordance with either block 312 or block 314), the method 300 proceeds to block 316. In block 316, the display 1 10 displays the APR in accordance with the current APR count.
[0031] In block 318, the processor 108 continues to monitor the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 as the printing system 100 processes print jobs.
[0032] In block 320, the processor 108 determines whether the printing fluid supply 102 is empty. As discussed above, the processor 108 may receive signals from the sensor 106, from which the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply 102 can be determined.
[0034] However, if the processor 108 concludes in block 320 that the printing fluid supply 102 is empty, then the method 300 proceeds to block 322. In block 322, the processor decrements the APR count in amounts of a third interval as the printing system continues to process print jobs. In one example, the third interval is smaller than the first interval and the second interval. In one example, the third interval may be an interval of 100 or 50. Thus, the APR count may be rounded to the nearest 100 pages, and decrease every time another 100 pages are printed. For instance, the APR may hold steady for a time at an estimate of 500 pages remaining. Once approximately 100 pages are printed, the APR count will change to 400 pages remaining, and so on.
[0035] In block 324, the display 1 10 displays the APR in accordance with the current APR count. In one example, once the APR counts drops to 100, the display 1 10 will display "<100."
[0036] The method 300 ends in block 326. The printing system 100 may continue to process print jobs after block 326 is performed, until the printing system 100 runs out of printing fluid or until a user halts the printing system 100 in order to replenish the printing fluid (e.g., by replacing one or more cartridges).
[0037] FIG. 4 is a graphic summarizing the method 300 of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 uses example numbers for the APR count and for the first, second, and third intervals; however, these numbers are not meant to be limiting.
[0038] As illustrated, the APR count counts down in 1 ,000 page decrements (e.g., a first interval) when the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply is at least as great as a predefined threshold (e.g., enough to print 4,000 pages in the example of FIG. 4). Thus, in the example range of 4,000 to 19,000 pages, the displayed APR decreases in intervals of 1 ,000 pages. This provides an estimate of the number of pages remaining with a fair amount of precision, but without implying that the APR is more precise than it is. In this range of 4,000 to 19,000 pages, a more precise APR may be of limited use to users anyway, unless they are trying to print exceptionally large print jobs.
[0039] When the amount of printing fluid in the printing fluid supply falls below the predefined threshold, the APR continues to count down in 1 ,000 page decrements (e.g., a second interval).
[0040] When the printing fluid supply is empty (i.e., the printing system begins printing from the printing fluid reserve), the APR count begins to count down in 100 page decrements (e.g. , a third interval). Thus, in the example range of 500 to zero pages, the displayed APR decreases in intervals of 100 pages. This provides an estimate of the number of pages remaining with an improved amount of precision. This improved precision may be helpful to users trying to print relatively large print jobs, who want assurance that their print job can be completed without replenishing the printing fluid supply (e.g., if a user wants to print a 50 page print job, knowing that approximately 200 pages remain is helpful). By contrast, displaying a less precise APR at this stage (e.g., "less than 500 pages remaining") may be of less help, since it covers a potentially large range that may or may not be enough for a given print job to complete (e.g., the 50 page print job may not be possible, since "less than 500" could be 200 pages, or it could be 20 pages).
[0041] The change in displayed APR when transitioning from the second interval to the first interval may vary. For instance, the displayed APR could jump from 2,000 pages to 1 ,000 pages to 500 pages. Alternatively, the displayed APR could linger on 1 ,000 pages for a period of time or could jump directly from 2,000 pages to 500 pages, for example.
[0042] The displayed APR when decrementing after the printing fluid supply 102 is exhausted (i.e., according to the second interval in the method 200 or the third interval in the method 300) is approximate due to the variation in the density of the printing fluid on the print jobs to be processed, rather than due to uncertainty as to how much printing fluid is left (once the printing fluid reserve 104 is engaged). Thus, although the APR is approximate at this stage, it is fairly accurate since the amount of usable printing fluid remaining is known. Thus, the methods 200 and 300 can provide users with the number of pages the printing system 100 is capable of printing with relatively high precision, right down until approximately 100 pages or less remain.
[0043] It should be noted that although not explicitly specified, some of the blocks, functions, or operations of the methods 200 and 300 described above may include storing, displaying and/or outputting for a particular application. In other words, any data, records, fields, and/or intermediate results discussed in the methods can be stored, displayed, and/or outputted to another device depending on the particular application. Furthermore, blocks, functions, or operations in FIGs. 2 and 3 that recite a determining operation, or involve a decision, do not imply that both branches of the determining operation are practiced. In other words, one of the branches of the determining operation may not be performed, depending on the results of the determining operation.
[0044] FIG. 5 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computing device suitable for use in performing the functions described herein. As depicted in FIG. 5, the computing device 500 comprises a hardware processor element 502, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or a multi-core processor, a memory 504, e.g., random access memory (RAM), a module 505 for displaying APR data, and various input/output devices 506, e.g. , storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, an output port, an input port and a user input device, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a microphone, and the like. Although one processor element is shown, it should be noted that the general-purpose computer may employ a plurality of processor elements. Furthermore, although one general-purpose computer is shown in the figure, if the method(s) as discussed above is implemented in a distributed or parallel manner for a particular illustrative example, i.e., the blocks of the above method(s) or the entire method(s) are implemented across multiple or parallel general-purpose computers, then the general-purpose computer of this figure is intended to represent each of those multiple general-purpose computers.
[0045] It should be noted that the present disclosure can be implemented by machine readable instructions and/or in a combination of machine readable instructions and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a programmable logic array (PLA), including a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a state machine deployed on a hardware device, a computer or any other hardware equivalents, e.g., computer readable instructions pertaining to the method(s) discussed above can be used to configure a hardware processor to perform the blocks, functions and/or operations of the above disclosed methods.
[0046] In one example, instructions and data for the present APR displaying module or process 505, e.g., machine readable instructions, can be loaded into memory 504 and executed by hardware processor element 502 to implement the blocks, functions, or operations as discussed above in connection with the example methods 300 and 400. Furthermore, when a hardware processor executes instructions to perform "operations," this could include the hardware processor performing the operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with another hardware device or component, e.g. , a co-processor and the like, to perform the operations.
[0047] The processor executing the machine readable instructions relating to the above described method(s) can be perceived as a programmed processor or a specialized processor. As such, the present APR displaying module 505, including associated data structures, of the present disclosure can be stored on a tangible or physical (broadly non-transitory) computer-readable storage device or medium, e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, ROM memory, RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive, device or diskette and the like. Furthermore, the computer-readable storage device may comprise any physical device or devices that provide the ability to store information such as data and/or instructions to be accessed by a processor or a computing device such as a computer or an application server.
[0048] In further examples, the present APR displaying module or process 505 does not reside on the same level of the computing device 500 as the hardware processor element 502 and memory 504, but instead resides on a level under the hardware processor element 502 and memory 504. Thus, FIG. 5 depicts the computing device 500 at a high level, and other configurations of the hardware processor element 502, memory 504, APR displaying module or process 505, and I/O devices, including hierarchical configurations, are possible.

中文:
[0001]现代打印系统,诸如激光打印机之类,使用打印流体(例如,墨水、增色剂等)在基底上打印图像。可以从包含数量足以打印有限数量的页的打印流体的一次性或可再装的字车、对打印流体进行分发。当打印流体用尽时,打印系统可能无法打印更多的页,直至对字车进行更换或再装满。因此,打印系统的用户可发现知道该系统还能打印多少页是有帮助的,这样他们能够相应地计划他们的打印作业和/或据此获得替换的字车。
[0002]图1为对本公开的打印系统的一个示例的一部分进行图示的示意图;
[0003]图2图示了用于显示近似剩余页指示符的第一示例性方法的流程图;
[0004]图3图示了用于显示近似剩余页指示符的第二示例性方法的流程图;
[0005]图4为对图3的方法进行概述的图;以及
[0007]在一个示例中,本公开文件描述了一种用于显示具有提高的精度的近似剩余页(APR)数据的装置、方法及非暂时性计算机可读存储介质。如上讨论的,在打印系统用完打印流体之前,它的用户可发现知道该系统还能打印多少页是有帮助的。例如,假如打印作业包含的页的数量多于打印系统能够根据打印流体的当前供给所打印的,用户可能希望在发送打印作业给打印系统之前、更换一个或多个打印流体字车。许多打印系统能够对关于字车的APR(即,能够根据打印流体的当前供给所打印的页的数量)进行估计。例如,可以基于字车中所包含的打印流体的滴数,对APR进行估计。这些估计转而能够以用户可视的方式显示。
[0008]然而,为了让估计是有用的,某些时候想要特定程度的精度。例如,当字车相对较新、且打印机能够根据当前打印流体供给对10000或更多页进行打印时,用户可能不想要高精度(例如,可能仅知道APR远超过他们的打印作业就够了)。然而,当字车接近为空时,较高的精度可能更为有用(例如,知道剩余的有限数量的打印流体足以完成指定的打印作业可能是有帮助的)。假如估计的APR的精度不足以向用户确保能够完成他的打印作业,他可能倾向于在字车实际为空之前对它进行更换或再装满,从而浪费金钱和可用的打印流体。
[0009]随着可用的打印流体总量减少,本公开文件的示例显示具有提高的精度的近似剩余页的数量。在一个示例中,当传感器检测到当前从字车的打印流体的储备、而不是从打印流体供给打印打印作业进行时,显示的APR开始以小于之前所使用的间隔对剩余的页的数量进行倒计。因此,当可用的打印流体较少时,显示的APR变得更为精确。这允许用户更好地估计是否能在打印系统用完打印流体之前完成他们的打印作业。
[0010]图1是对本公开的打印系统100的一个示例的一部分进行图示的示意图。系统100被配置为使用打印流体(例如,墨水、增色剂等)在基底(例如,纸)上打印图像。譬如,在一个示例中,打印系统100为激光打印机。在一个示例中,系统100包括打印流体供给102、打印流体储备104、传感器106、处理器108和显示器110。
[0012]打印流体储备104也包括有限数量的打印流体。在一个示例中,满时的打印流体储备104中的打印流体的数量小于满时的打印流体供给102中的打印流体的数量。譬如,在一个示例中,满时的打印流体储备104包含足以打印约500页的打印流体,而满时的打印流体供给102可以包含足以打印10000页或更多的打印流体。
[0013]传感器106被配置为检测打印流体供给102何时为空。在一个示例中,传感器106可以被配置为通过与打印流体供给102中的打印流体相接触的两个引脚之间的电阻、电容或电感的度量来对此进行检测。
[0014]处理器108被配置为基于可用打印流体总量生成APR估计。在一个示例中,可用打印流体总量包括打印流体供给102中的打印流体和打印流体储备104中的打印流体。在一个示例中,结合图2进一步详细讨论的,当处理器108从传感器106接收指示打印流体供给102为空(例如,进而指示当前根据打印流体储备104对作业进行打印)的信号时,其提高对APR进行估计的精度。可以如下结合图4所讨论的对处理器108进行配置。
[0015]显示器110被配置为从处理器108接收信号。信号包含指示系统100的当前APR的数据。在一个示例中,显示器110为打印系统100的本地显示器(例如,内置到打印系统100的显示器)。在另一示例中,显示器110为通信地联接到打印系统100的设备上的远程显示器(例如,通过网络通信地联接到打印系统100的远程计算设备的监视器)。
[0016]图2图示了用于显示近似剩余页指示符的第一示例性方法200的流程图。方法200可以例如由图1的打印系统100执行。替代地或另外,方法200的至少一个框可以由下面如图4所图示的具有处理器、存储器和输入/输出设备的计算设备实现,该计算设备被特别编程为例如通过作为用于打印系统100的控制电路而操作,执行方法200的框。尽管可以将计算设备特别编程为执行方法200的各个框,但根据方法200的框由诸如图1的打印系统100之类的打印系统执行的示例对方法200进行描述。
[0017]方法200在框202开始。在框204,显示器110显示能够根据打印系统100中当前可用的打印流体(即,打印流体供给102中当前包含的打印流体加上打印流体储备104中当前包含的打印流体)总量来打印的页的数量估计。
[0018]在框206,处理器108确定它是否从传感器106接收到指示打印流体供给102为空的信号。假如该处理器在框206断定它还未从传感器106接收到指示打印流体供给102为空的信号,那么该方法继续到框208。
[0019]在框208,显示器110以第一间隔的量对剩余页的数量估计进行递减。在一个示例中,第一间隔可以是间隔1000。因此,显示器110显示四舍五入到最近的1000页的、剩余页的估计的数量,并且每次打印另一1000页时减少所显示的估计。譬如,显示器110可以显示剩余9000页的估计。一旦打印了约1000页,显示器将所显示的估计变为剩余8000页,等等。方法200然后返回框206,处理器108继续等待来自传感器106的信号。
[0020]另一方面,假如处理器在框206断定它已从传感器106接收到指示打印流体供给102为空的信号,那么该方法继续到框210。
[0021]在框210,显示器110在小于第一间隔的第二间隔的量内对剩余页的数量估计进行递减。在一个示例中,第二间隔的大小为第一间隔的十分之一或二十分之一。例如,假如第一间隔为间隔1000,第二间隔可能为间隔100或50。因此,显示器110显示四舍五入到最近的100页的剩余页的估计的数量,且每次打印另一100页时减少所显示的估计。譬如,显示器110可以显示剩余500页的估计。一旦打印了约100页,显示器将所显示的估计变为剩余400页,等等。
[0022]方法200在框212结束。在执行框210后,打印系统100可以继续处理打印作业,直至打印系统用完打印流体,或直至用户中止打印系统100以补充打印流体(例如,通过更换一个或多个字车)。
[0023]图3图示了用于显示近似剩余页指示符的第二示例性方法300的流程图。尤其是,方法300提供了上面讨论的方法200的更具体的实施例。因此,方法300还可以例如由图1的打印系统100执行。替代地或另外,方法300的至少一个框可以由具有下面如图4所图示的具有处理器、存储器和输入/输出设备的计算设备实现,该计算设备被特别编程为例如通过作为用于打印系统100的控制电路而操作,执行方法300的框。尽管可以将计算设备特别编程为执行方法300的各个框,但现在将根据方法300的框由诸如图1的打印系统100之类的打印系统执行的示例对方法300进行描述。
[0024]方法300在框302开始。在框304,处理器将初始化近似剩余页(APR)计数。APR计数基于打印系统100当前可用的打印流体总量(例如,滴数),其在一个示例中为打印流体供给102中打印流体和打印流体储备104中打印流体之和。因此,当打印流体供给102满时(例如,刚刚安装了新字车时),APR计数可能非常大(例如,10000页或更多)。
[0025]在框306,显示器110根据当前的APR计数显示APR。如上讨论的,显示器110可以是打印系统100的本地显示器(例如,内置到打印系统100的显示器)或通信地联接到打印系统100的设备上的远程设备(例如,在网络上通信地联接到打印系统100的远程计算设备的监视器)。
[0026]在框308,随着打印系统100处理打印作业,处理器108监视打印流体供给102中的打印流体量。也就是说,随着打印系统100处理打印作业,打印流体供给102中的打印流体量将逐渐减少。处理器108可以从传感器106接收信号,能够根据信号来确定打印流体供给102中的打印流体量。
[0027]在框310,处理器108确定可用的打印流体量(即,如传感器106所示,打印流体供给102中的打印流体量加上打印流体储备106中的打印流体量)是否至少与预定义的打印流体阈值量一样多。在一个示例中,预定义阈值为打印流体供给102满时可用打印流体总量(例如,在框304中初始化的APR计数所基于的量)的百分数(例如,20%)。在另一示例中,预定义阈值为能够根据可用打印流体总量来打印的页的数量(例如,4000)。
[0028]假如可用打印流体总量在框310中被确定为至少和预定义阈值一样多,那么方法300继续进行到框312。在框312,随着打印系统继续处理打印作业,处理器以第一间隔的量递减APR计数。在一个示例中,第一间隔可以为间隔1000。因此,APR计数可以四舍五入到最近的1000页,且每次打印另1000页时减少。譬如,APR可以在估计9000页剩余时保持稳定一段时间。一旦打印了约1000页,APR计数将变为剩余8000页,等等。
[0029]另一方面,假如可用打印流体总量在框310被确定为小于预定义阈值,那么方法300继续进行到框314。在框314,随着打印系统继续处理打印作业,处理器以第二间隔的量递减APR计数。在一个示例中,第二间隔与第一间隔相同(例如,打印每1000页)。然而,在另一示例中,第二间隔与第一间隔不同。
[0030]随着根据适当的间隔(例如,根据框312或框314)、在数量方面递减APR计数,方法300继续进行到框316。在框316,显示器110根据当前的APR计数显示APR。
[0031]在框318,随着打印系统100处理打印作业,处理器108继续监视打印流体供给102中的打印流体量。
[0032]在框320,处理器108确定打印流体供给102是否为空。如上讨论的,处理器108可以从传感器106接收信号,能够根据信号来确定打印流体供给102中的打印流体量。
[0034]然而,假如处理器108在框320断定打印流体供给102为空,那么方法300继续进行到框322。在框322,随着打印系统继续处理打印作业,处理器以第三间隔的量对APR进行递减。在一个示例中,第三间隔小于第一间隔及第二间隔。在一个示例中,第三间隔可以是间隔100或50。因此,APR计数可以四舍五入到最近的100页,且每次打印另100页时减少。譬如,APR可以在估计剩余500页时保持稳定一段时间。一旦打印了约100页,APR计数将变为剩余400页,等等。
[0035]在框324,显示器110根据当前的APR计数显示APR。在一个示例中,一旦APR计数降至100,显示器110将显示“<100”。
[0036]方法300在框326结束。在执行框326后,打印系统100可以继续处理打印作业,直至打印系统100用完打印流体,或直至用户中止打印系统以补充打印流体(例如,通过更换一个或多个字车)。
[0037]图4为对图3的方法300进行概述的图。图4使用用于APR计数和用于第一、第二、第三间隔的示例性数字;然而,这些数字不意在限制。
[0038]如图示的,当打印流体供给中的打印流体量至少与预定义阈值一样大(例如,在图4的示例中足以打印4000页)时,APR计数以1000页递减量(例如,第一间隔)进行倒计。因此,在4000至19000页的示例性范围内,所显示的APR以1000页的间隔减少。这提供了具有相当大精度的剩余页的数量估计,但未暗示APR比它更精确。在4000至19000的这一范围内,无论如何更精确的APR对于用户可能用处有限,除非它们试图打印特别大的打印作业。
[0039]当打印流体供给中的打印流体量降至预定义阈值以下,APR继续以1000页递减量(例如,第二间隔)进行倒计。
[0040]当打印流体供给为空(即,打印系统开始根据打印流体储备打印)时,APR计数开始以100页递减量(例如,第三间隔)进行倒计。因此,在500至0页的示例性范围内,所显示的APR以100页的间隔减少。这提供了具有改进的精度量的剩余页的数量估计。此改进的精度对于试图打印相对大的打印作业的用户是有帮助的,用户想要确保无需补充打印流体供给、就能完成他们的打印作业(例如,假如用户想要对50页的打印作业进行打印,知道约200页剩余是有帮助的)。相比之下,在此阶段显示不太精确的APR(例如,“不到500页剩余”)可能帮助较小,因为它涵盖了可能很大的、对于要完成的指定打印作业可能足够或可能不够的范围(例如,50页的打印作业可能是不可能的,因为“小于500”可能是200页,或它可能是20页)。
[0041]从第二间隔转换到第一间隔时、所显示的APR的改变可能变化。譬如,所显示的APR可能从2000页跳到1000页,跳到500页。或者,例如,所显示的APR可能在1000页徘徊一段时间,或可能从2000页直接跳到500页。
[0042]因关于要处理的打印作业的打印流体密度的变化,而不是因关于剩下多少打印流体的不确定性(一旦用了打印流体储备104),所显示的APR在打印流体供给102耗尽后进行递减(即,根据方法200中的第二间隔或方法300中的第三间隔)时是近似的。因此,尽管APR在此阶段是近似的,但它相当准确,因为可使用的打印流体量是已知的。因此,方法200及300能够给用户提供具有相对高的精度的打印系统能够打印的页的数量,一直朝下直至约100页或更少剩余。
[0043]应该注意到尽管未明确规定,但上面描述的方法200及300的一些框、功能或操作可以包括用于特定应用的存储、显示和/或输出。换言之,取决于该特定应用,所述方法中讨论的任意数据、记录、域和/或中间结果能够存储、显示和/或输出到另一设备。而且,图2及图3中叙述确定操作或涉及决定的框、功能或操作并未暗示实现该确定操作的两个分支。换言之,取决于确定操作的结果,可能不执行确定操作的分支之一。
[0044]图5描绘了适用于执行本文描述的功能的计算设备的高级框图。如图5描绘的,计算设备500包括硬件处理器元件502,例如中央处理单元(CPU)、微处理器或多核处理器,存储器504,例如随机存取存储器(RAM),用于显示APR数据的模块505,以及各种输入/输出设备506,例如存储设备,包括但不限于磁带驱动、软盘驱动、硬盘驱动或致密盘驱动,接收器,发送器,扬声器,显示器,语音合成器,输出端口,输入端口和用户输入设备,诸如键盘、小键盘、鼠标、话筒等之类。尽管示出了一个处理器元件,但应该注意到通用计算机可以使用多个处理器元件。而且,尽管图中示出了一个通用计算机,但为了特定的说明性示例,以分布式或并行方式实现如上面讨论的方法,即上面方法的框或整个方法是跨多个或并行的通用计算机实现的,那么此图的通用计算机旨在代表那些多个通用计算机的每一个。
[0045]应该注意到本公开文件能够通过机器可读指令和/或以机器可读指令及硬件的组合来实现,例如使用特定用途集成电路(ASIC)、可编程逻辑阵列(PLA),包括场可编程门阵列(FPGA)或在硬件设备上部署的状态机,计算机或任意其它硬件等同物,例如关于上面讨论的方法的计算机可读指令能够用来对硬件处理器进行配置,以执行上面公开的方法的框、功能和/或操作。
[0046]在一个示例中,用于当前APR显示模块或过程505的指令及数据,例如机器可读指令,能够载入存储器504、并由硬件处理器元件502执行,以实现如上结合示例性方法300及400所讨论的框、功能或操作。而且,当硬件处理器执行指令以执行“操作”时,这能够包括直接执行操作的、和/或便于、指导另一硬件设备或组件执行操作或与另一硬件设备或组件合作来执行操作的硬件处理器,另一硬件设备或组件例如为协处理器等。
[0047]执行涉及上面描述的方法的机器可读指令的处理器能被视为被编程的处理器或专用的处理器。照此,本公开文件的本APR显示模块505,包括相关联的数据结构,能够存储在有形的或物理(广义上是非暂时性的)计算机可读存储设备或介质上,例如易失性存储器、非易失性存储器、ROM存储器、RAM存储器、磁或光驱、设备或软盘等。而且,计算机可读存储设备可以包括提供对诸如由诸如计算机或应用服务器之类的处理器或计算设备所访问的数据和/或指令之类的信息进行存储的能力的任一或任意多个物理设备。
[0048]在进一步的示例中,本APR显示模块或过程505不驻在计算设备500的、与硬件处理器元件502及存储器504相同的层级上,相反驻于硬件处理器元件502及存储器504之下的层级上。因此,图5描绘了高级的计算设备500,可能有硬件处理器元件502、存储器504、APR显示模块或过程505、以及I/O设备的其它配置,包括分层配置。