DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SENSING LOW INK LEVEL IN AN INK CARTRIDGE OF A POSTAGE METER

摘要

An ink sensing apparatus for a value dispensing device having a printhead which prints an indication of value includes a device for determining a total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing device based on a total number of indications of value printed by the printhead and a total number of maintenance actions performed on the printhead; a device for ascertaining that the total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing device has exceeded a predetermined amount; and a device for providing an indication that the total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing apparatus has exceeded the predetermined amount. A method associated with the above device includes the steps of: determining a total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing device based on a total number of indications of value printed by the printhead and a total number of maintenance actions performed on the printhead; ascertaining that the total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing device has exceeded a predetermined amount; and providing an indication that the total amount of ink consumed by the value dispensing apparatus has exceeded the predetermined amount.