US 11,947,279 B2
Material sensing using container vibration
Alexander Lloyd Chapman, Lexington, KY (US); Clare Cabahug Maxino, Cebu (PH); Neilson Gutay Navarrete, Mandaue (PH); Michael Todd Phillips, Frankfort, KY (US); Scott Daniel Reeves, Louisville, CO (US); and Daniel Lee Thomas, Lexington, KY (US)
Assigned to Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US)
Filed by LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., Lexington, KY (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/701,762.
Prior Publication US 2023/0305432 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G01F 23/00 (2022.01); G01F 23/296 (2022.01); G03G 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0858 (2013.01) [G01F 23/00 (2013.01); G01F 23/2966 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0888 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for sensing material within a container, comprising:
a container having a reservoir for storing material;
an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the container to cause vibration of the container;
a motion sensor configured to sense the vibration of the container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the container; and
processing circuitry in communication with the motion sensor and configured to determine an estimate of an amount of the material in the container based on the sensed vibration of the container,
wherein the motion sensor is positioned at a first side of the container opposite a second side of the container against which the impact member imparts the impulse force on the container.