Hardcopy printing device with capacitive print media monitor and methods of making and using the same

摘要

A printing device can include a capacitive monitoring system to monitor the amount of print medium (e.g., paper) available in the printing device. The capacitive monitor includes conductive plates above and below the supply of print medium. With the print medium acting as a dielectric element, the capacitance of the system will change as print medium is removed from the supply. This change in capacitance can be used to monitor the supply of print medium in the printing device.