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: 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: 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: 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. A user interface is configured to enable a user to designate a low ink notification set point for the ink source at any ink level between the ample ink level and the 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: An ink jam detection and recovery system for use in a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink stick conveyance configured move ink sticks in a forward direction toward a melt plate at a melt end of an ink stick feed path and a reverse direction away from the melt plate. A sensor system is configured to generate a first signal indicative of whether an ink stick is present at the melt plate. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to actuate the ink stick conveyance to move in at least one of the forward direction and the reverse direction in response to the first signal indicating that no ink stick is present at the melt plate.

Abstract: A method of using a phase change ink imaging device includes receiving an nth ink stick in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device where n is a predetermined number. The nth ink stick includes at least one sensor contour formed thereon. The at least one sensor contour is associated with an ink stick identifier. The at least one sensor contour on the nth ink stick is detected using a sensor system in the ink loader. At least one signal is generated based on the detection of the at least one sensor contour, the at least one signal being indicative of the ink stick identifier. The ink stick identifier indicated by the at least one signal is then stored as a designated ink stick identifier for use with the phase change ink imaging device.

Abstract: A solid ink stick having an ink stick body formed of a phase change ink material. The ink stick body is configured for inclusion in a first set of ink sticks and has substantially a same size and shape as other ink sticks in the first set of ink sticks and ink sticks in a second set of ink sticks. The first set of ink sticks is of a different series than the second set of ink sticks. An identification pattern is formed on the ink stick body. The identification pattern is one identification pattern in a set of identification patterns. The identification pattern formed on the pattern area of the ink stick body is visually discernible from the other identification patterns in the set.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device comprises an ink stick body configured for insertion in an insertion orientation into an ink loader of the phase change ink imaging device. The ink stick body has a plurality of surfaces. A visual orientation indicator is formed on at least one surface in the plurality of surfaces. The visual orientation indicator is configured to visually indicate a direction of orientation of at least one surface of the plurality of surfaces to place the ink stick body in the insertion orientation.

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 system for an ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises a feed chute having an insertion end and a melt end. An ink stick transport is configured to move at least one ink stick between the insertion end and the melt end of the feed chute. At least one sensor is positioned in the feed chute for detecting a coded sensor feature of the at least one ink stick moving along the feed chute between the insertion end and melt end. The system includes at least one nudger positioned in the feed chute that is configured to influence a position of the at least one ink stick moving along the feed chute so that the coded sensor feature of the at least one ink stick is in a sensing position with respect to the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An ink stick comprises an ink stick body having a plurality of tracks formed in one or more side surfaces extending from a leading surface to a trailing surface substantially parallel to a feed direction of the ink loader. Each track forms a path corresponding to a track sensor in the ink loader and includes a leading sensor actuator and a trailing sensor actuator for actuating the respective track sensor. The leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators are configured to actuate the respective track sensors in an actuation sequence indicative of variable control/attribute information pertaining to the ink stick. A transition indicating region is formed between the leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators in the plurality of tracks. The transition indicating region is configured to interact with the track sensors to generate a signal indicative of a transition between the leading sensor actuators and the trailing sensor actuators.

Abstract: A system for use with a solid ink delivery system of a phase change ink imaging device comprises an insertion opening configured to enable insertion of ink sticks therethrough and into the ink delivery system. An insertion key is movably supported adjacent the insertion opening such that a portion of the insertion key protrudes into the insertion opening. The portion of the insertion key has a shape that is complementary to a key contour on a first ink stick and a second ink stick. A key positioner is operably coupled to the insertion key to move the insertion key between at least two different predetermined positions on the perimeter of the insertion opening. The predetermined positions include a first position that is complementary to a position of the key contour of the first ink stick and a second position that is complementary to a position of the key contour of the second ink stick.

Abstract: An ink stick comprises an ink stick body configured for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of the phase change ink imaging device. The ink stick body has an insertion perimeter in a plane substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and has a longitudinal dimension for aligning with a feed direction of the ink loader. A symbol contour is formed in a first position on the perimeter of the ink stick body. The symbol contour defines a portion of a perimeter of a visually recognizable symbol shape and extends at most partially along the perimeter of the ink stick in the longitudinal dimension of the ink stick body. At least one key contour is formed in a second position on the perimeter of the ink stick body corresponding to a color of the ink for the ink stick body.

Abstract: A solid ink stick comprises an ink stick body formed of a phase change ink material. The ink stick body has a plurality of exterior surfaces arranged in a first ink stick body configuration. At least one simulation surface is formed in the ink stick body. The at least one simulation surface simulates a second ink stick body configuration. The simulation surface is functionally significant though may not extend around the full perimeter of the ink stick body or to the full plurality of exterior surfaces.

Abstract: A solid ink stick comprises an ink stick body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The plurality of side surfaces defines a perimeter of the ink stick body. At least one key contour is formed in at least one side surface in the plurality of side surfaces extending at least partially between the top surface and the bottom surface. A witness mark is formed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the ink stick body with a portion of the witness mark following the at least one key contour.

Abstract: An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device having a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute.

Abstract: An ink jam detection and recovery system for use in a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink stick conveyance configured move ink sticks in a forward direction toward a melt plate at a melt end of an ink stick feed path and a reverse direction away from the melt plate. A sensor system is configured to generate a first signal indicative of whether an ink stick is present at the melt plate. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to actuate the ink stick conveyance to move in at least one of the forward direction and the reverse direction in response to the first signal indicating that no ink stick is present at the melt plate.