Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to a restricted web site to users of certain brands of printing device replaceable components are described. When a replaceable component is installed into a printing device, the printing device determines whether the replaceable component is a particular brand of component. If it is a particular brand of component, the printing device provides access, either automatically or on command, to a web site that is restricted to users of components of the brand. The restricted web site offers incentives and information to such users that is not available to printing device users that use other brands of components in their printing devices.

Abstract: A consumable order-assistance system is provided for computer peripheral devices. The system includes a personal computer, at least one computer peripheral device, and a user interaction site. The personal computer has a messaging system. The at least one computer peripheral device has a messaging system. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of a consumable for the computer peripheral device. The user interaction site is configured to receive a notification from the computer peripheral device via the messaging system of a need to order a consumable. The user interaction site is provided within one of: a single-connection environment as an end user interface; an unmanaged network environment as a workgroup administrator interface; and a server-based centralized network environment as a centralized system administrator interface. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A consumable order assistance system is provided for computer peripheral devices. The system includes a personal computer, at least one computer peripheral device, a communication link, and a consumable order assistance computer program. The personal computer has a web browser and a messaging system. The at least one computer peripheral device has a messaging system. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of a consumable for the computer peripheral device via the web browser. The consumable order assistance computer program is provided on the personal computer and is configured to receive a notification from the computer peripheral device via the messaging system of a need to order a consumable, alert a user of the personal computer of the notification, and provide an order location to the user for the consumable. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A consumable order assistance system for a computer peripheral device includes a computer peripheral device, a personal computer, a user interface, and a communication link. The computer peripheral device has a consumable requiring periodic replenishment. The personal computer is signal coupled with the peripheral device. The user interface is provided on one of the computer peripheral device and the personal computer, and is operative to notify a user of a state of the consumable. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of the consumable for the peripheral device. The personal computer is operative to monitor the computer peripheral device to determine the state of the consumable, and to notify a user via the user interface of a need to replenish the consumable. A method for replacing consumables is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to a restricted web site to users of certain brands of printing device replaceable components are described. When a replaceable component is installed into a printing device, the printing device determines whether the replaceable component is a particular brand of component. If it is a particular brand of component, the printing device provides access, either automatically or on command, to a web site that is restricted to users of components of the brand. The restricted web site offers incentives and information to such users that is not available to printing device users that use other brands of components in their printing devices.

Abstract: A consumable order-assistance system is provided for computer peripheral devices. The system includes a personal computer, at least one computer peripheral device, and a user interaction site. The personal computer has a messaging system. The at least one computer peripheral device has a messaging system. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of a consumable for the computer peripheral device. The user interaction site is configured to receive a notification from the computer peripheral device via the messaging system of a need to order a consumable. The user interaction site is provided within one of: a single-connection environment as an end user interface; an unmanaged network environment as a workgroup administrator interface; and a server-based centralized network environment as a centralized system administrator interface. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A consumable component replenishment and maintenance assistance system is provided within a centralized network environment. The system includes a computer network, at least one computer peripheral device, a personal computer, and a centralized server. The at least one computer peripheral device is provided within the network and has an embedded web server and a consumable component. The personal computer is provided within the network and has a user interface usable by a maintainer to maintain operation of the at least one computer peripheral device. The server is provided within the network and has a consumable component consolidation program.

Abstract: Image forming systems and methods of forming an image are described. According to one exemplary aspect of the invention, a system includes a consumable monitoring device which provides a current amount of a consumable, such as toner. The system of this aspect also includes a memory device configured to store historical information regarding the consumable. A processor provides a requirement amount of the consumable and statistically modifies at least one of the requirement amount and the current amount using the historical information. Exemplary statistical modification uses a ratio of an estimation of a number of pixels within previous image jobs and the actual number of pixels imaged within previous jobs. Thereafter, the processor analyzes the requirement amount with respect to the current amount to determine the probability that an image job will be successfully imaged. In one arrangement, a confidence value is utilized for statistical modification. In addition, the historical information may be weighted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow customization of user messages in a printing system. A printing device includes a replaceable component that includes component memory. First and second message data are stored in the component memory, the message data being message text or a pointer to message text. If the message data is a pointer to message text, the message text is stored in printing device memory, in memory of a host computer or on a remote site accessible via a host computer. A first message is displayed to a user in response to detection of a first event. A second message is displayed to the user in response to detection of a second event. If the message data are pointers to message text external to the printing device, an entity delivering the messages can change the message text without reconfiguring the printing device.

Abstract: A redundant reorder prevention system prevents redundant reorders for replaceable components in printing devices. The replaceable component has memory integrated therein which contains a reorder value field. The reorder value field is initially configured in a first state which indicates that a new replaceable component has not been ordered to replace the current replaceable component. Before the system orders a new replaceable component, it checks the reorder value field. If the first state is detected, a new replaceable component is ordered and the reorder value field is reconfigured to a second state which indicates that the new replaceable component has been ordered. If the second state is detected before an order is placed, the order process is terminated before a new replaceable component is ordered.

Abstract: New consumables installed in printing devices sometimes must print several pages to “condition” the consumable before use. This “conditioning” is required to allow various components to reach optimal condition for printing. The present invention seeks to ameliorate the situation of changes in a consumable affecting the print quality by modifying the printing behavior based on measurements made on the consumable or on the history of the consumable which is installed. If necessary, the new consumable is pre-conditioned before additional page are printed. Pre-conditioning is accomplished by printing either several test pages or by developing several images and subsequently cleaning these images into the waste toner hopper.