JPH0358854A - Indicator for residual amount of toner, ink, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent defective printing due to running out of toner, ink or the like by estimating end time by a method wherein the count of clock pulse in an image signal part is integrated and recorded in a memory, and the residual amount of ink or the like is made capable to be detected and indicated based on said recorded value in order to estimate the end time. CONSTITUTION:Printing data is inputted to a counter 4 from an image signal generator 1 such as a wordprocessor terminal or a facsimile receiving part, in synchronization with the output pulse from a clock pulse generator 2, and a clock pulse in a printing signal part proportional to a use amount of recording medium is counted. The count of this counter 4 is integrated and stored in a memory 5, and the use amount of the recording medium is indicated by said output means. Besides, by comparing with the initially provided amount, residual amount is detected and an alarm 7 for alarming the end of printing is produced. At that time, a use amount adding memory or a residual amount subtracting memory is employed, or otherwise simultaneously storing of both amounts is enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a device for indicating the remaining amount of toner, ink, etc. in a printing mechanism such as a printer that uses toner, ink, etc. as a recording medium.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in printing mechanisms that use toner, ink, etc. as a recording medium, such as a laser-type printing mechanism that uses toner or an inkjet printing mechanism that uses ink, toner, ink, etc. are stored and stored. Printing is performed by attaching a recording medium dot by dot to recording paper, which is a recording medium, based on a print signal.

In such a printing mechanism, if the initially loaded recording medium is consumed, it is normal that it is not possible to add a recording medium halfway through. For example, in an inkjet printer, it is very difficult to add ink because if gas gets mixed into the ink, it will cause printing defects. Even in printing mechanisms that use toner, moisture intrusion into the toner causes printing defects.
It is not desirable for the developing area to be opened for the purpose of adding toner. In addition, the developing section including the photosensitive drum tends to be unitized, and since toner is enclosed in the unitized developing unit, it is not possible to add toner.

In a printing mechanism that uses such a stored recording medium, printing becomes impossible when the recording medium runs out.
It is necessary to know in some way when a recording medium such as toner or ink will run out.

However, until now, there is no suitable method, and the only known method is to count the number of sheets printed on recording paper and use the number of sheets that can be printed based on the initial storage amount as a guide for determining the remaining amount. be. However, the method based on the number of printed sheets not only uses recording paper of various sizes such as A4, B4, B5, etc., but also the amount of toner consumed per sheet varies greatly depending on the amount of printing. Prediction of remaining amount based on the number of sheets was very inaccurate and not sufficient.

On the other hand, devices such as printers and facsimiles that use these printing mechanisms are automated and do not necessarily require an operator to be present during printing, so it is not possible to always monitor when the recording medium is finished. In particular, facsimile machines are normally kept in a reception standby state at all times, making it impossible for humans to monitor the end of the recording medium.

Therefore, detecting the remaining amount of toner or ink is
Although it is essential for the use of the printing mechanism, there is currently no suitable detection means.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and its purpose is to detect and display the remaining amount of recording media such as toner and ink in a printing mechanism. This was done as a.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a device for indicating residues of toner, ink, etc.
A counting means for counting printed dot signals, a storage means for storing count data counted by the counting means as integrated data, and a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of toner, ink, etc. based on the stored value of the storage means. It is characterized by having the following.

The integrated data of the count data counted by the counting means is not limited to the number of dots themselves, but may also be converted data such as a percentage of the total amount, and may be integrated as the amount used or as the remaining amount. Data can be represented.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image signal generator, 2 is a clock pulse generator, 3 is a printer, 4 is a counter, 5 is a memory, 6 is a power backup for the memory, and 7 is an output means for display, alarm, etc.

Printing in the printer 3 is performed by using a word processor output, a facsimile receiving section, or the like as an image signal generator, and providing print data in synchronization with output pulses from a clock pulse generator.

Figure 4 (A> shows clock pulses, and Figure 4 (B) shows print data, and the higher level is printing, that is, the black signal. Therefore, the clock pulses in the black signal part are counted. Then, the cumulative amount of the black signal can be known. In FIG. 1, clock pulses and an image signal are input to the counter 4, and the input gate of the counter 4 is controlled by the image signal to count the clock pulses. Then, the count value on the counter will be proportional to the amount of black print,
It can be said that it is proportional to the amount of recording medium such as toner used. When the count value of the counter 4 is accumulated and stored in the memory 5, the stored value is proportional to the usage amount of the recording medium, so the usage amount can be displayed on the output means 7, and by comparing this with the initial input amount, the remaining amount can be determined. It is possible to predict when the amount will end, and it is also possible to issue a warning that the amount is about to end.

Note that the counted value of counter 4 may be integrated as is in memory 5, but since the number of digits will be large, divide the counted value of counter 4 by an appropriate number and introduce it to memory 5 as a value with smaller digits. You may also do so. The amount used can also be displayed as a percent by dividing it by a value proportional to the total amount.

The division does not need to be performed by an arithmetic circuit, but may be performed by appropriately setting the maximum counting capacity of the counter 4 and outputting a carry pulse to the memory 5 at the maximum count value.

The memory 5 may be of an additive type to store the used amount, or may be of a subtractive type to store the remaining amount. Alternatively, both may be stored. Furthermore, since the memory 5 is made non-volatile by the power backup 6, the stored data will not be erased even if the power to the main unit is turned off.

Some printing mechanisms such as printers allow density settings. This allows you to set it darker or lighter, and adjust the density parameters.

When the density parameter changes, the amount of recording medium used per dot changes. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment that takes this into consideration.

In FIG. 2, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. Therefore, it can be said that FIG. 2 has the density parameter detection section 8 and the arithmetic circuit 9 added to FIG. 1.

The density parameter detection unit 8 receives density parameter data from the density setting unit in the printer and outputs it to the calculation circuit 9. The arithmetic circuit 5 may use the count data from the counter 4 (the dot number data itself or the proportional data as described above).

), the density information is corrected and output to the memory 5.

Therefore, it is possible to correct the amount of recording medium used depending on the density.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which density correction is performed without using an arithmetic circuit. The counting of the counter is adjusted by the concentration parameter. FIG. 4(B) explains this. In this example, the case where the maximum density is 0% and the density is set to 90% will be explained.

The printed data (B) has two black printed parts, and the number of pulses counted is equivalent to 10 in the figure, but as shown in (C), 9 pulses are counted due to omission. , density correction can be performed. The same thing can be done even if the counting capacity of the counting circuit is changed depending on the concentration parameter.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in a printing mechanism that uses a recording medium such as toner or ink, it is possible to know the remaining amount of recording medium, so it is possible to predict the end time. This has the effect of not causing printing defects due to running out of toner or ink.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are schematic configuration diagrams for explaining different embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a signal time chart. 1... Image signal generator, 2... Clock pulse generator, 3... Printer, 4... Counter, 5...
Memory, 8...Concentration parameter detection unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A counting means for counting printed dot signals, a storage means for storing count data counted by the counting means as integrated data, and a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of toner, ink, etc. based on the stored value of the storage means. A remaining amount indicating device for toner, ink, etc., comprising: