Abstract: An ergonomic portable pill crusher tool includes an elongate handle having a first axis, and a shaft having an offset portion and a work portion. The offset portion is connected to the handle. The offset portion has a second axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the first axis of the handle at a first angle facing a central portion of the handle. The work portion has a third axis arranged to be oblique with respect to the second axis of the offset portion at a second angle facing away from the central portion, such that an extent of the work portion along the third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the handle at the central portion of the handle. A distal end of the work portion has a convex tip to facilitate application of axial and radial forces to the pill(s).

Abstract: A resolution quality redefinition control system for a multi function scanner/printer controls a plurality of functions executable such as scanning, printing, copying and faxing. Multiple resolution qualities may be selected by a user for any of the functions through a user input in communication with the controller. A designated quality resolution may not be appropriate for a designated function, however. Some of the functions have an optimal resolution and/or a significant range of resolutions. When the designated quality resolution is not appropriate for a designated function, the controller re-defines the designated quality resolution as an execute resolution for each execution of one of the functions.

Abstract: A multi-layer device having a plurality of primary layers for protecting an object includes a first primary layer formed from a first ceramic material. A second primary layer is positioned over the first primary layer, the second primary layer being formed from a first plastic material. A third primary layer is positioned over the second primary layer, the third primary layer being formed from metal. A fourth primary layer is positioned over the third primary layer, the fourth primary layer being formed from a second plastic material. A fifth primary layer is positioned over the fourth layer, the fifth primary layer being formed from a second ceramic material. A sixth primary layer is positioned over the fifth primary layer. The sixth primary layer includes a plurality of sub-layers, with each sub-layer being formed as a plurality of secondary layers, and with each secondary layer being a composite polymer-fabric.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: A modulation circuit includes a microelectronic electromechanical system (MEMS) based resonant structure having a resonant frequency, an excitation input and an output. A control module is coupled to the excitation input of the MEMS based resonant structure. The control module modifies resonant characteristics of the MEMS based resonant structure to modulate the resonant frequency of the MEMS based resonant structure to produce a modulated signal at the output.

Abstract: A device and method for storing toner within an image forming apparatus having an upper reservoir and a lower toner reservoir. A pass through region between the reservoirs may journal a rotatable metering bar. The bar may include convex depressions to dispense toner from the upper to the lower reservoir. The convex shape reduces the toner adherence to the bar, particularly in the case of chemically polymerized toner.

Abstract: A method of printing on a print medium includes using a first quantity of nozzles of a printhead to print a first set of scan lines of a plurality of scan lines at an edge of the print medium; using a second quantity of nozzles of the printhead to print a second set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines in an interior region of the print medium; using a third quantity of nozzles to print a third set of scan lines of the plurality of scan lines to transition between the edge and the interior region, the third quantity of nozzles being greater in number than the first quantity of nozzles and less in number than the second quantity of nozzles; and printing each scan line of the plurality of scan lines forming the image with a same number of multiple passes of the printhead, regardless of the number of nozzles used for printing during a particular pass of the printhead.

Abstract: A doctor blade for use with an imaging apparatus includes an elongated member, and a metering surface formed on a portion of the elongated member. The metering surface has surface features, which are modified by buffing the metering surface.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a mid-frame for supporting the sheet of print media. A unitary carrier support frame is positioned above the mid-frame. The unitary carrier support frame defines a first guide member and a second guide member, wherein a longitudinal extent of each of the first guide member and the second guide member is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet feed direction. A printhead carrier is provided having a first bearing member for engaging the first guide member, and a second bearing member for engaging the second guide member.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for detecting the presence of an ink jet printhead when a printhead controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead using a printhead identification device. The system includes a printhead including heater resistors and control elements, and a controller connected to the printhead via address and data lines. When the controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead, the controller operates to bias the control elements in a predetermined manner via at least one address line, detect a signal via the data lines, and generate a signal indicative of the presence of the installed printhead.

Abstract: A method for effecting synchronous pulse generation for use in serial communications is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a difference signal representing a signal level difference between at least two data stream signals; providing a clock signal; providing a counter; defining a sample count value of the counter; incrementing the counter in relation to the clock signal; and determining whether a current count value of the counter corresponds to the sample count value. If the current count value corresponds to the sample count value, then the method performs a step of generating a synchronous pulse.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a production printing cartridge for use in an imaging system includes the steps of obtaining first standard cartridge signature color data associated with a standard printing cartridge and a first substrate, obtaining second standard cartridge signature color data associated with the standard printing cartridge and a second substrate, obtaining first production cartridge signature color data associated with the production printing cartridge and the first substrate, and estimating second production cartridge signature color data associated with the production printing cartridge and the second substrate based on the first standard cartridge signature color data, the second standard cartridge signature color data, and the first production cartridge signature color data.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information from a networked device is provided. The method includes the steps of defining a network; providing a network adapter communicatively connected to the network, the network adapter connected to the networked device; providing memory in the network adapter; updating information in the memory, wherein the information describes a status of the networked device; placing the information into a response frame; and sending the response frame in response to any command frame received by the network adapter.

Abstract: A printing cartridge including a body, the body having a base and a tower defining a passageway. The tower is made from a first polymer material, and has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is attached to the base. The distal end includes a surface. A frame, made of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, is attached to the surface of the tower. A filter is attached to the frame and positioned to extend over the passageway.

Abstract: A scanning operation is synchronized with the motion of a scan mechanism. Encoder signals indicative of a position of the scan mechanism relative to a scan platen or an object being scanned are received. These encoder signals may include a single channel phase signals are channel A and channel B phase signals. Transitions of the encoder signals are detected. Scan pulses for triggering a scan operation by a scan element are generated based on transitions of the encoder signals. Differences in the encoder signal resolution and a desired scan resolution are compensated for in the generation of the scan pulses. A transfer signal is generated in synchronization with the scan pulses for controlling output of data from the scan element. Variations of the velocity of the scan mechanism cause variations of the frequency at which the scan pulses are generated.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a motor including a motor shaft to which a pinion gear is attached, and a feed roller including a shaft. The feed roller is positioned upstream from the print zone in relation to the sheet feed direction. A primary gear train includes a first gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a second gear rigidly mounted to the shaft of the feed roller. A spring coupling has a first end connected to the second gear of the primary gear train. A secondary gear train includes a third gear in mesh with the pinion gear and a fourth gear rotatably mounted to the shaft of the feed roller for free rotation with respect to the shaft, the second end of the spring coupling being connected to the fourth gear of the secondary gear train.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a printhead and a maintenance station. The maintenance station includes a fixed support housing, a sled and a chimney. The sled is supported on the support housing and is movable relative to the support housing in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The chimney receives ink spit from the printhead. The chimney has a fixed vertical position relative to the printhead and is horizontally movable in response to movement of the sled.

Abstract: A waste ink accumulation system in an ink jet printer includes a rotatable body having an ink-collecting surface and a plurality of projections extending from the ink-collecting surface. An actuating mechanism rotates the body.

Abstract: A toner patch sensor arrangement in an electrophotographic machine includes a substantially hollow chamber having a reflective interior surface, a first opening exposing a toner patch, a second opening and a third opening. A light emitting element emits light onto the toner patch through the first opening and the second opening. A light detecting element receives through the third opening light reflected off of the toner patch such that the reflected light is received only after the light has also reflected off the interior surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an electrophotographic machine having an image bearing surface includes depositing a toner patch on the image-bearing surface. The toner patch has a nominal coverage that varies substantially continuously from end to end. Light is emitted onto a selected one of the areas of the toner patch. An amount of light that is reflected off of the selected one area of the toner patch is measured. The emitting and measuring steps are repeated for each of a plurality of different areas of the toner patch. At least one electrophotographic condition is adjusted. The adjusting is dependent upon the measuring steps.