Printer Cartridge Residual Quantity Prediction Using Weighted Usage Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer control systems inaccurately predict the date when printing will no longer be possible due to variations in developer usage, leading to either premature or delayed estimates based on short usage periods.
Innovation Solution
A control device that acquires residual quantity data from multiple cartridges and estimates a future date when the printing material will be depleted by using a prediction line that considers usage conditions over a longer period, taking into account the most recent usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the prediction is based on a short usage period, then the prediction can be calculated quickly, but the accuracy of the predicted date deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the usage history into multiple time periods (first time period and second time period) with different weights. The first time period data is used with lower weight while the second time period data is used with higher weight, allowing the system to consider both historical trends and recent usage patterns without requiring an excessively long prediction period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of time period weighting, where the weight of the first time period is set to be smaller than the weight of the second time period. This parameter adjustment allows recent usage data to have greater influence on the prediction, improving accuracy without requiring a full-lifetime history analysis
2Measurement precision
If the prediction considers a long usage period, then the prediction accuracy improves, but the calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the long usage history into segmented time periods (first and second time periods) rather than treating it as a single continuous period. This segmentation simplifies the calculation by applying different weights to different segments, making the complex long-term prediction manageable through weighted averaging of simpler period-based calculations
3Device complexity
If the prediction uses only recent usage data, then the calculation is simpler, but the prediction may be inaccurate due to unusual recent usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the weight parameters of different time periods, giving the first time period (historical data) a smaller but non-zero weight and the second time period (recent data) a larger weight. This parameter configuration allows the system to balance between historical reliability and recent relevance, achieving accurate predictions without oversimplifying to only recent data
Data Source
AI summary
A controller in a control device is configured to perform: acquiring a first value from a printer, the first value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a first cartridge at a first calendar date; acquiring a second value from the printer, the second value being related to a residual quantity of printing material remaining in a second cartridge at a second calendar date, the second cartridge being attached to the printer later than detachment of the first cartridge; estimating a third calendar date using the first value, the second value, the first calendar date, and the second calendar date, the third calendar date being a calendar date when a third value related to the residual quantity of printing material remaining in the second cartridge is assumed to be smaller than a prescribed quantity; and executing an output process according to the third calendar date.