Facilitating servicing of a depleted container

Details Facilitating servicing of a depleted container Facilitating servicing of a depleted container

2001-10-16

2003-04-22

Hallacher, Craig (Department: 2853)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Controller

C347S019000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06550881

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to servicing technology and, more particularly, to facilitating the service of a depleted container in a device having a plurality of containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Often a device user is required to replace, or service, a depleted container in a device having a plurality of containers. For example, containers for toner, ink, paper, and other consumable resources are frequently depleted, requiring service before the device using the consumable is able to carry out its function.
One of the challenges before the user when faced with a container in need of service is correctly identifying the container in need of service. Many times in devices with multiple containers, the depleted container is not readily apparent. Simply viewing the device with the depleted container is not sufficient for identifying the depleted container. The containers may be opaque or not readily accessible.
Color laser printers represent one example of a device having multiple containers of consumable resources. Most color laser printer users transition from using a monochrome laser printer to a color laser printer. The user has learned to change toner cartridges in monochrome printers. In monochrome printers, the cartridge is readily available for changing when the consumable door is opened.
Color printers are more complex. In a carousel color printer, up to four cartridges may be present. If one of the cartridges is low or out of toner, the user is often expected to go to the printer and, by a specific button or procedure, rotate the carousel to place the cartridge of concern in position to be serviced. This may cause some confusion for the user. Additionally, the process requires additional time to complete the printer service as compared to a monochrome printer.
Conventional solutions for assisting a user in identifying the depleted container include providing information on a user display panel for identifying the depleted container. The information is usually either an error code or a graphical representation of the depleted container with respect to the entire device. Often the information provided on the display on the display panel is inadequate alone and the user must additionally reference a manual for the device in order to correctly identify and remove the depleted container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to principles of the present invention, service of a container depleted of a consumable resource is facilitated in a device holding a plurality of containers for consumable resources. One of the plurality of containers for consumable resources is depleted of consumable resources. The container depleted of the consumable resource is discovered. In response to discovering the depleted container, the depleted container is moved into a service position.
According to further principles of the present invention, the depleted container is discovered by either realizing the container has a low level of the consumable resource or is empty of the consumable resource.
According to further principles of the present invention, the amount of consumable resource in each container is discovered either by measuring the remaining consumable resource or by tracking indicia of the remaining consumable resource.
According to further principles of the present invention, an access to the depleted container is opened and the depleted container is ejected.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5589861 (1996-12-01), Shibata
patent: 6048045 (2000-04-01), Nohata et al.
patent: 6158850 (2000-12-01), Cook
patent: 6209980 (2001-04-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 6271928 (2001-08-01), Bullock et al.

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