Method for indicating printer status

摘要

A method and apparatus for indicating the condition of a printer is provided. In an inkjet printer having at least one pen that is mounted in a carriage that moves back and forth across the media, the printer status is determined by a controller in the printer which communicates with the pen. The carriage containing the pens is used as a pointer and has is set to a desired carriage position to point to a selected icon from a set of icons located on a top surface adjacent to the carriage. Each of the icons indicates a printer status such as low ink level or a pen problem. The carriage and the set of icons may be located under a lid. When the user lifts the lid such as in response to a print cartridge status light that is illuminated on the control panel, the carriage is set to the desired carriage position to indicate the appropriate printer status. The icons are chosen in such a manner as to be universally understandable and with no need for localization to a particular market.