Patents Assigned to Lexmark International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11353824
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11356287
    Abstract: A physical unclonable function is disclosed. A highly random distribution of magnetic particles within a thermoplastic polymer is created by magnetizing magnetizable particles in solid pellet feed material before feeding the solid pellets into an injection molding machine. Other devices and processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, James Paul Drummond, Kelly Ann Killeen
  • Patent number: 11346903
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor array device is described that is constructed with multiple single sensor die, diced out of a wafer as a group and packaged in a wafer level package (WLP). The device comprises an array of multi-axis magnetic sensors that can measure the multi-dimensional magnetic field of an arbitrary sized two-dimensional region with high spatial resolution, reduced sensing distance, higher measurement throughput, tolerance to motion, improved temperature measurement, and improved yield when placed on a circuit card comprises part of an authentication system including a physical unclonable function (“PUF”), a substrate, a plurality of magnetized particles randomly dispersed in the substrate, and a PUF reader constructed using one or more of the magnetic sensor array devices wherein the PUF reader measures the magnetic field at multiple locations in close proximity to the magnetized particles. The measured magnetic field data may be compared to previously enrolled data to assess authenticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Howard Ellis, Keith Bryan Hardin, William Pohl Corbett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11347180
    Abstract: A component separator system for use with an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first replaceable unit and a second replaceable unit for use in the image forming device. The second replaceable unit is manually separable from the first replaceable unit. The first replaceable unit is mateable with the second replaceable unit in an operative position of the first replaceable unit relative to the second replaceable unit with a first imaging component of the first replaceable unit in operative contact with a second imaging component of the second replaceable unit. Engagement of a first engagement member of the first replaceable unit with a second engagement member of the second replaceable unit retains the first replaceable unit in a storage position relative to the second replaceable unit with the first imaging component spaced away from the second imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11347172
    Abstract: A method for detecting a non-authentic slave component in an electronic printer device which includes receiving a command from a master component in the device, identifying a response to the command based upon a frequency of a plurality of clock pulses used by the master component while sending the command, and sending the response to the master component for use as a basis in determining whether the slave component is one of an authentic slave component and a non-authentic slave component. The disclosed method may be performed by a replaceable slave component in an imaging device including a slave circuit communicating with a master circuit of the master component along a serial communications interface. The master circuit includes an instruction to change a clock frequency when sending a command to the slave circuit to trigger a unique response from slave circuits of authentic slave components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Nathan Fister, Timothy John Rademacher
  • Patent number: 11340554
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11340312
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor array device is described that is constructed with multiple sensors integrated on a common silicon die, diced and packaged in a wafer level package (WLP). The device comprises an array of multi-axis magnetic sensors that can measure the multi-dimensional magnetic field of an arbitrary sized two-dimensional region with high spatial resolution, reduced sensing distance, higher measurement throughput, tolerance to motion, improved temperature measurement, and improved yield when placed on a circuit card comprises part of an authentication system including a physical unclonable function (“PUF”), a substrate, a plurality of magnetized particles randomly dispersed in the substrate, and a PUF reader constructed using one or more of the magnetic sensor array devices wherein the PUF reader measures the magnetic field at multiple locations in close proximity to the magnetized particles. The measured magnetic field data may be compared to previously enrolled data to assess authenticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Howard Ellis, Keith Bryan Hardin, William Pohl Corbett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11327431
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a photoconductive drum and a boss that protrudes outward from a first longitudinal end of the toner cartridge at a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. An outermost axial segment of the boss along the rotational axis includes a partial cylinder having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment. An outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder is convex to a bottom of the toner cartridge and forms a bottom contact surface of the boss that is unobstructed to contact and sit in a corresponding V-block in an image forming device when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The outermost axial segment of the boss includes clearance above a topmost portion of the partial cylinder and within the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder permitting the clearance to accommodate one or more features in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher
  • Patent number: 11327417
    Abstract: An assembly for use in an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. The housing includes a wall having an inner surface forming a boundary of the reservoir and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotatable shaft. The shaft includes an end portion that passes through an opening in the wall. A gear is mounted on the end portion of the shaft outside of the reservoir and is rotatably coupled to the shaft. An annular seal encircles and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The annular seal is positioned between an inner axial face of the gear and the outer surface of the wall. The inner axial face of the gear contacts the annular seal and presses the annular seal against the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, David Lee Merrifield
  • Patent number: 11300921
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an electrical contact positioned on a first side of a housing of the replaceable unit for contacting an electrical contact in the image forming device. A guide on the first side of the housing is positioned closer to a front of the housing than the electrical contact and leads rearward toward the electrical contact. The guide includes an inside surface that faces inward sideways toward a second side of the housing. At least a portion of the inside surface is angled inward sideways from front to rear permitting contact between the inside surface and an electrical connector in the image forming device to draw the electrical connector in the image forming device inward sideways relative to the replaceable unit during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Keith Payne, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Patent number: 11290290
    Abstract: Magnetic PUFs (Physical Unclonable Function) may utilizes a single 3-axis Hall-effect sensor for enrollment. When a PUF is manufactured, a Hall-effect sensor is used to model the PUF disk and store that data where it may be accessed. This process is called “enrollment.” This invention improves upon the PUF implementation by introducing controlled variability into the enrollment, the reading of the PUF data from the Hall-effect sensors (the number and position of read sensors), the sampling method of the read sensor(s), and the processing of the PUF data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Richard Castle, Gary Allen Denton, Robert Henry Muyskens, Samuel Leo Rhodus, Brant Dennis Nystrom
  • Patent number: 11287770
    Abstract: A first replaceable unit is provided for use with a second replaceable unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. The first replaceable unit includes a latch movable between a latching position for latching the first replaceable unit to the second replaceable unit and an unlatching position for permitting the first replaceable unit to separate from the second replaceable unit. The latch is positioned to contact a latch catch on the second replaceable unit in order to prevent the first replaceable unit from separating from the second replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is mated with the second replaceable unit and the latch is in the latching position. The latch includes a cam follower surface for contacting a camming surface on the second replaceable unit during mating of the first replaceable unit with the second replaceable unit to cause the latch to move toward the latching or unlatching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11281154
    Abstract: An imaging device has a fuser assembly and a removably insertable cartridge with an activation device. The fuser assembly has a fusing nip that heats during use. A shutter moves between a fully opened and fully closed position to allow or block access to the fusing nip. A frame has an opening to allow passage of the activation device of the cartridge. During use, the shutter blocks access to the fusing nip until the activation device of the cartridge passes through the opening of the frame and contacts a corresponding activation surface, whereby the shutter begins opening and travels through a range of movement until reaching the fully opened position when the cartridge is fully inserted into the imaging device. Removal of the cartridge reverses the action of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11256185
    Abstract: A photoconductive drum includes an elongated support element with a shaped charge generation layer. The layer extends from the support element at various thicknesses along a length thereof. Thicker charge generation portions provides denser optical densities compared to thinner portions allowing tailoring the photoconductive drum to compensate for imperfect optical scanning systems. A charge transport layer overcoats the charge generation layer. Optionally, an oxidation layer underlies the charge generation layer as does a protective overcoat overlying the charge transport layer. Various thicknesses and shapes of the charge generation layer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew David Heid, Laura Lee Kierstein, Weimei Luo, Prasanna Shrestha
  • Patent number: D947936
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D947937
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D947938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: D952030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin, Jay Scott Siekmann, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Randal Scott Williamson, Trey Dustin Gilliam
  • Patent number: D955472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: D955473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Pangburn, Jay Scott Siekmann