Abstract: A volumetric container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and a heater element positioned within the housing. The heater element is positioned in the container to melt solid ink quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A solid ink loading system for a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink loader having a first end, a second end, and at least one feed channel extending between the first and the second end. The at least one feed channel includes an insertion region intermediate the first and the second end where ink sticks enter the at least one feed channel. The at least one feed channel is configured to guide ink sticks in a feed direction from the insertion region toward the second end. An ink stick retractor is configured for movement between a forward position and a rearward position substantially parallel to at least a portion of the at least one feed channel. The forward position is closer to the second end of the feed channel than the first position. The ink stick retractor is configured to selectively move ink sticks in the at least one feed channel in a retraction direction toward the first end.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems for authenticating an imaging device consumer replaceable unit (CRU) used in products such as a printing system with appropriate programming such that they are able to positively recognize and accommodate authorized consumables. A microcontroller or processing chip is integrated with the CRU and capable of generating a Validation Code. A code key will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The resulting string key is a basis for an algorithm created Validation Code. This code is generated by the consumable processor and readable by a printing system or device the CRU is inserted into.

Abstract: Account manager systems and methods are disclosed for managing consumable return refund programs for repaid document processing devices, in which automated or semiautomatic refunds are provided by adding account credits to prepaid customer accounts and/or by directly applying print units to specific document processing devices for customers who return spent consumable products.

Abstract: A method is implemented to control movement of a solid ink stick from an insertion port to a corresponding feed channel to help ensure that each feed channel in a plurality of feed channels contains only ink sticks corresponding to the feed channel. The method includes receiving solid ink sticks in an insertion port located at one end of a feed channel in the solid ink printer, identifying each ink stick received in the insertion port, and removing a passage barrier from the feed channel in response to the ink stick being identified as corresponding to ink configured for passage through the feed channel.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a quiet mode management system in which a control system of an imaging device selectively reduces print speed based on print job attributes such as job size, repetitions and media in use.

Abstract: An ink loader for a phase change ink imaging device includes an automated access control system that enables ink stick insertion based on user initiated ink load requests with reference to the operating state of the imaging device.

Abstract: A container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and an inductive heater element positioned within the housing. The inductive heater element is formed in a manner that increases the surface area of the heater and enables frozen ink in the vicinity of a reservoir outlet to melt quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided systems, computer readable media, and methods to authenticate a customer replaceable unit (CRU) in a printer system by comparing a validation code in the CRU with a printer generated validation code. The Validation Code is a string of numbers and/or characters that can be referred to as a value. The validation code will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The code is independently established by the printing system or device using the same algorithm and information and validates the resulting Code when they match. The printing system or device must confirm the Validation Code and ID applicability of the consumable to deem it appropriate for use.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems for authenticating an imaging device consumer replaceable unit (CRU) used in products such as a printing system with appropriate programming such that they are able to positively recognize and accommodate authorized consumables. A microcontroller or processing chip is integrated with the CRU and capable of generating a Validation Code. A code key will be comprised of a value string including programmed characters representing a combination of all or portions of a market program designator or code, consumable identification (ID) information and a randomly generated value, which may be hidden from view. The resulting string key is a basis for an algorithm created Validation Code. This code is generated by the consumable processor and readable by a printing system or device the CRU is inserted into.

Abstract: An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point.

Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a plurality of inkjet ejector arrays having corresponding ink receptacles. Each inkjet array is formed from a plurality of inkjet stack layers that are bonded to a single aperture layer, and the inkjet arrays are positioned with a predetermined alignment about a curved image receiving surface.

Abstract: A phase change ink imaging device includes a transfix apparatus configured to apply ultrasonic action to ink pixels deposited onto an image bearing surface to facilitate transfer and/or fixing of the ink pixels to print media.

Abstract: An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point.

Abstract: A volumetric container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and a heater element positioned within the housing. The heater element is positioned in the container to melt solid ink quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A method of feeding ink sticks into an imaging device enables identification of data useful for device control. The method includes inserting at least one ink stick into an ink loader, the at least one ink stick including a plurality of code element patterns formed in the ink stick, each code element pattern having a plurality of code elements that include a first code element identifying a start of a code element pattern and a second code element identifying an end of the code element pattern, each code element pattern being configured to generate a same coded signal pattern; urging the ink stick toward a melt device; actuating at least one sensor in the imaging device with the plurality of code element patterns to generate a predetermined coded pattern of signals; and comparing the predetermined coded pattern of signals to identify a code word.

Abstract: An ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device more effectively guides properly configured solid ink sticks from a first end of a feed chute to a melting device at a second end of the feed chute. The feed chute may include a sensor to detect coded sensor features on the properly configured solid ink sticks traveling along the feed chute and an obstructor configured to block improperly configured solid ink sticks inserted into the first end of the feed chute.

Abstract: A phase change ink imaging device includes an ink loader operatively connected within a housing of the imaging device. At least a portion of the ink loader is configured to be withdrawn from the housing to enable ink stick insertion.

Abstract: A solid ink loading system for a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink loader having a first end, a second end, and at least one feed channel extending between the first and the second end. The at least one feed channel includes an insertion region intermediate the first and the second end where ink sticks enter the at least one feed channel. The at least one feed channel is configured to guide ink sticks in a feed direction from the insertion region toward the second end. An ink stick retractor is configured for movement between a forward position and a rearward position substantially parallel to at least a portion of the at least one feed channel. The forward position is closer to the second end of the feed channel than the first position. The ink stick retractor is configured to selectively move ink sticks in the at least one feed channel in a retraction direction toward the first end.