Ink consumption determination

Details Ink consumption determination Ink consumption determination

2005-06-09

2008-09-16

Meier, Stephen D (Department: 2853)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Fluid or fluid source handling means

C347S099000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07425061

ABSTRACT:
An ink jet printer includes an ink supply system and a printhead with nozzles for ejecting ink drops. The printer determines the average size of the ejected ink drops by comparing the number of ink drops ejected in a predetermined time with the quantity of ink delivered through the printers ink supply system during that time. If the determined average ink drop size does not match predetermined ink drop size criteria, the printer adjusts the activation signals for the ink jet nozzles to alter the ink drop size. A solid ink printer determines the quantity of ink delivered through the ink supply system by counting the number of whole or partial ink sticks that pass a predetermined point in the ink supply system. The counter detects a sensing element formed on an external surface of the ink stick. Exemplary detectors include a mechanical arm, or a thermistor to detect a change in the printer melt plate temperature due to a change in the cross sectional area of an ink stick being melted.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2503670 (1950-04-01), Hilberry
patent: 5181049 (1993-01-01), Mackay et al.
patent: 5341164 (1994-08-01), Miyazawa et al.
patent: 5406315 (1995-04-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5424767 (1995-06-01), Alavizadeh et al.
patent: 5442387 (1995-08-01), Loofbourow et al.
patent: 5489925 (1996-02-01), Brooks et al.
patent: 5694156 (1997-12-01), Hoisington et al.
patent: 5861903 (1999-01-01), Crawford et al.
patent: 5975690 (1999-11-01), Grellmann et al.
patent: 6053608 (2000-04-01), Ishii et al.
patent: 6334658 (2002-01-01), Suzuki
patent: 6543867 (2003-04-01), Jones
patent: 6648435 (2003-11-01), Jones
patent: 6755517 (2004-06-01), Jones et al.
patent: 6783026 (2004-08-01), Chambers et al.
patent: 2003/0146945 (2003-08-01), Inui et al.
patent: 0 654 351 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 1359019 (2003-11-01), None
patent: 1359021 (2003-11-01), None
patent: 1366914 (2003-12-01), None
patent: 10081023 (1998-03-01), None
Copending U.S. Patent Application No., filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Ink Jet Printer Performance Adjustment,” by James D. Buehler et al., Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2006.
Copending U.S. Patent Application No., filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Ink Consumption Determination,” by James D. Buehler et al., Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2006.
Copending U.S. Patent Application No., filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Ink Level Sensing,” by Scott J. Korn, Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2006.
Copending U.S. Patent Application No., filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Ink Consumption Determination,” by Amin M. Godil et al., Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2006.
Copending U.S. Patent Application No., filed concurrently herewith, entitled “Ink Consumption Determination,” by Brent R. Jones et al., Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2006.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Ink consumption determination does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Ink consumption determination, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ink consumption determination will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3988929