US 11,947,282 B2
Toner level sensing using toner 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. 17/701,758.
Prior Publication US 2023/0305434 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 15/00 (2006.01); G03G 21/10 (2006.01); G03G 21/12 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0868 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0848 (2013.01); G03G 15/0856 (2013.01); G03G 15/0858 (2013.01); G03G 15/086 (2013.01); G03G 15/556 (2013.01); G03G 21/10 (2013.01); G03G 21/12 (2013.01); G03G 2215/00637 (2013.01); G03G 2215/00645 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0154 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0888 (2013.01); G03G 2221/0021 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a toner container having a reservoir for storing toner;
an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the toner container to cause vibration of the toner container;
a sensor configured to sense the vibration of the toner container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the toner container; and
processing circuitry in communication with the sensor and configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in the reservoir based on the sensed vibration of the toner container,
wherein the sensor is positioned at a first side of the toner container and the impact member is positioned to impart the impulse force on a second side of the toner container, the first side of the toner container and the second side of the toner container are positioned at opposite ends of the reservoir.