Abstract: A method for providing a message on a replaceable printing component of a printing device includes detecting a trigger event, retrieving a message from a memory associated with the replaceable printing component in response to the trigger event, and forming the message on an imaging member of the replaceable printing component, wherein the trigger event includes an end of a print job, and wherein the message remains on the imaging member after completion of the print job.

Abstract: A method for providing a message on a replaceable printing component of a printing device includes detecting a trigger event, retrieving a message from a memory associated with the replaceable printing component in response to the trigger event, and forming the message on an imaging member of the replaceable printing component, wherein the trigger event comprises an end of a print job, and wherein the message remains on the imaging member after completion of the print job.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a printed document. Generally, the system is implemented to automatically compare first and second images and provide an output with respect thereto. In an illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a computer for providing a first electronic image of a document. The image may be provided via a network such as the Internet. A printer is coupled to the computer and driven to print the document. The document is then scanned to provide a second electronic image of the document. The scanned image is then compared to the original image to provide verification of the printed output. For text based documents, the first and second images may be converted to text using conventional optical character recognition software to facilitate comparison. In a refinement of the present teachings, a mechanism is provided to detect a file characterization by which a restriction may be imposed on the number of the documents to be printed.

Abstract: A printing system utilizes printing material cartridges with memory to provide a way to uniquely identify the contents of a printing device cartridge and optimize printing parameters for use with the printing material. Newly developed printing materials and printing solutions therefor can be provided to printing devices that were manufactured prior to the development of the new printing material. Additionally, all cartridges can be physically similar without regard for the type of printing material contained therein, so no special manufacturing is required for each different printing material.

Abstract: A conductive isolation member for electrophotography components is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cartridge for use in an image forming device includes a photosensitive drum, an electrophotography component, and a conductive isolation member electrically connected to the electrophotography component to permit discharge of static charge on the electrophotography component upon removal of the conductive isolation member.

Abstract: A printing system utilizes memory integrated into a replaceable component to store printing device usage data. The manufacturer of the printing device retrieves the data when the component is returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

Abstract: A conductive isolation member for electrophotography components is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cartridge for use in an image forming device includes a photosensitive drum, an electrophotography component, and a conductive isolation member electrically connected to the electrophotography component to permit discharge of static charge on the electrophotography component upon removal of the conductive isolation member.

Abstract: A printing system utilizes printing material cartridges with memory to provide a way to uniquely identify the contents of a printing device cartridge and optimize printing parameters for use with the printing material. Newly developed printing materials and printing solutions therefor can be provided to printing devices that were manufactured prior to the development of the new printing material. Additionally, all cartridges can be physically similar without regard for the type of printing material contained therein, so no special manufacturing is required for each different printing material.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a printed document. Generally, the system is implemented to automatically compare first and second images and provide an output with respect thereto. In an illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a computer for providing a first electronic image of a document. The image may be provided via a network such as the Internet. A printer is coupled to the computer and driven to print the document. The document is then scanned to provide a second electronic image of the document. The scanned image is then compared to the original image to provide verification of the printed output. For text based documents, the first and second images may be converted to text using conventional optical character recognition software to facilitate comparison. In a refinement of the present teachings, a mechanism is provided to detect a file characterization by which a restriction may be imposed on the number of the documents to be printed.

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: An apparatus is provided for detecting the state of a consumable for a printer. The apparatus includes a consumable cartridge, a drive motor, a current measuring device, memory and processing circuitry. The consumable cartridge has a rotatable member that is carried by the cartridge. The motor is configured to rotate the rotatable member. The current measuring device is associated with the motor, and is operative to measure current flow through the motor. The memory is configured to store a predetermined value corresponding to current flow through the motor, and indicative of a change in state of the rotatable member. The processing circuitry is coupled with the current measuring device and the memory and is operative to determine when the measured current flow corresponds to the predetermined value of current flow. Furthermore, the processing circuitry identifies a state of the consumable cartridge. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The first embodiment of an electrophotographic component cleaning apparatus includes a sheet of cleaning media, formed from a material such as felt, cloth or abrasive impregnated plastic fibers. Attached to the cleaning media is a retaining device. Preferably, the retaining device includes a plastic tab bonded to the sheet of cleaning media. Attached to the plastic tab is a plastic strap with an adhesive located on the free end. For use, the cleaning media is inserted into the print media path of the printer with the plastic strap looped around any conveniently protruding feature inside the printer. The rotation of the drum against the cleaning media results in the removal of contaminants. A second embodiment of an electrophotographic component cleaning apparatus includes an oversized cleaning roller which is installed into the printer in place of the transfer roller. A reservoir pivotally attached to the shaft of the cleaning roller contains cleaning fluid which is absorbed into the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A toner detecting system includes an image forming apparatus having a toner reservoir. A toner sensor of the system has a toner sensing element positioned to detect toner amount within the toner reservoir. A pixel counter of the system is configured to count pixels used when forming images. A processor of the system associates counted pixels with previous toner use. The associated counted pixels and previous toner use cooperate to enable enhanced toner level characterization of remaining available toner level. A method for detecting toner level within a toner-reservoir of an image forming device according to the toner detecting system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated product mailing system comprises a product to be mailed and a mailer enclosure secured to the product for enclosing and mailing the product once the product is spent. In a preferred embodiment, a toner cartridge for a laser printer includes a cavity disposed in the cartridge, a mailer enclosure disposed in the cavity, and means for removably securing the mailer enclosure in the cavity, whereby the mailer enclosure may be removed from the cavity to be used for easily and efficiently surrounding, enclosing and mailing the product. The mailer enclosure is folded, compacted, or deflated in the cavity, and unfolded upon use for enclosing the product. An access cover secures the mailer in the cavity, and the cavity is integrated into the cartridge for functional efficiency and aesthetic presence of the cartridge and mailer combination.