Abstract: A device includes a processing system having a processor and a memory and an image capture component coupled to the processing system. The image capture component is configured to receive an image of a subject region within a field of view and an image of a control region within the field of view. The processing system is configured to process the image of the control region as a user input for processing the image of the subject region.

Abstract: A device includes a processing system having a processor and a memory and an image capture component coupled to the processing system. The image capture component is configured to receive an image of a subject region within a field of view and an image of a control region within the field of view. The processing system is configured to process the image of the control region as a user input for processing the image of the subject region.

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: An electrophotographic printer including a transfer roller having a first movable spacer for temporarily creating a gap between the transfer roller and a photo conductor.

Abstract: A toner deliver system, such as a development roller, in an electrophotographic printer is conditioned with clear toner particles. The clear toner particles are made of similar resins and contains all of the flow and charge agents of color toner particles, but does not contain any pigment.

Abstract: A toner delivery system, such as a development roller, in an electrophotographic printer is conditioned with a clear toner. The clear toner is made of similar resins and contains all of the flow and charge agents of color toners, but does not contain any pigment.

Abstract: A color laser printer includes a photoconductor section having photoconductive material configured to be exposed to receive a plurality of color toners in a selective manner representative of a color image to be printed. The printer further includes a scanning section having a plurality of lasers, preferably four lasers, each of the lasers being configured to generate pulsed beams of laser energy to be directed to the photoconductor section to selectively expose the photoconductive material. The scanning section also includes a single, rotating, polygonal-sided mirror having at least four reflective facets corresponding to selected sides of the polygon. The polygonal-sided mirror is positioned relative to the lasers and the photoconductor section such that the pulsed beams of laser energy from each of the lasers are reflected by the reflective facets of the polygonal-sided mirror to a predetermined lineal position on the photoconductive material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a print engine with a photoreceptor, a laser exposure device for creating an image on the photoreceptor and one or more toning stations for toning the photoreceptor, after imaging. A system for enabling adjustment of the apparatus performance characteristics further includes a sensor for detecting characteristics of a toned image on the photoreceptor. A memory is provided for storing control parameters used to adjust operations of the printer; desired image characteristic parameters and previously measured image parameters. A processor is responsive to a performance assessment procedure for causing the print engine to create a toned test image on the photoreceptor. The processor then compares signals that are indicative of characteristic parameters of the toned test image with desired image characteristic parameters from the memory.

Abstract: An anti-fraud pull tab system for removable protective barriers in print cartridges and other modular components used in printers, copiers and other image forming devices. The pull tab includes a pull ring and a use indicator. The use indicator blocks a substantial portion of the finger hole in the pull ring so that the use indicator is broken out, damaged or disfigured when the pull tab is used to remove the protective barrier. The disfigured pull tab indicates the protective barrier has been used, thus making it difficult for a counterfeiter to successfully re-use or reform the protective barrier and resell the cartridge as a new cartridge. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a pull tab assembly includes a pull tab and an identifying tape. The tape secures the pull tab to the print cartridge. Affixed to the tape is a use indicator that will permanently adhere to the print cartridge when the identifying tape is removed from the cartridge.

Abstract: A consumable having a memory device for storing information such as usage information to be used by a the original manufacturer or re-manufacturer. The memory device can also be used to provided software updates or patches for the microcomputers within an image forming or other office automation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing toner in an electrophotographic printing system includes a housing for containing a supply of toner and toner filled containers for replenishing the supply of toner. Toner is allowed to flow to a developer assembly in the electrophotographic printing system by removal of a housing toner seal. The bottom of the container is dimensioned so that it can be inserted through the opening in the top of the housing and the opening in the top of another substantially identical container. A toner dam seal is attached to the container to close the bottom opening. In the preferred embodiment, the toner dam seal includes a length of flexible material for use in removal of the toner dam seal. In an alternative embodiment, cutting blades are attached to the interior of the sidewalls of both the housing and the container for cutting the toner dam seal upon installation of the container into the housing or into a previously installed container.

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 of piezoelectric material, the toner sensor carried within the toner reservoir to detect a toner level condition. A driver of the system is disposed to structurally excite at least a portion of the toner sensor when the portion is not immersed in toner, the excited at least a portion stressing the toner sensing element so as to impart a detectable output signal indicative of flexing of the toner sensor. A detector of the system is configured to receive the detected output signal and detect the toner level condition.

Abstract: A consumable product such as a toner cartridge for a laser printer includes a messaging device connected thereto. The messaging device is adapted to receive a control signal from the printer or other host, the control signal being indicative of a use status for the consumable product, such as "toner low". The control signal produces a visual effect upon the messaging device such that a message or a change in message concerning the consumable product is indicated thereby. The message or change in message is, alternatively, indicative of an identifier for the consumable product. The messaging device is a resistive heater substrate having at least one layer of thermochromatic ink disposed thereon. In an alternate embodiment, the message or change in message is effected by a change in temperature upon the messaging device, rather than by a direct control signal. In another alternate embodiment, a fuse is connected to the messaging device for providing further information to the printer system.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for communicating with the operator that of an image forming device which reduces the probability of error in acquiring a replacement consumable and which alerts the operator as to the proper disposal of the exhausted consumable. The invention utilizes status sensors within the printing device to sense when a particular consumable is exhausted or nearing exhaustion. The printing device automatically prints a hard copy page for the operator informing the user of the status of the particular consumable and corrective action to be taken. This is accomplished by a firmware implementation within the image forming device where in addition to, or in lieu of, a traditional low level status light indicator, the low level sensor sets a flag within the firmware program of the printing device which causes one or more pages of information to be printed from the image forming device.

Abstract: A spacer apparatus for providing separation between a photoconductor drum and a charge roller in an electrophotographic printing system prior to first use includes a first and a second spacer member pivotally mounted to the shaft of the charge roller. Attached to the first and the second spacer members are, respectively, a first and a second spacer cam which contact the photoconductor drum in a region outside of the electrostatic latent image forming area of the photoconductor drum. Prior to the first rotation of the photoconductor drum, the first and second spacer cams maintain separation between the photoconductor drum and the charge roller. After the first rotation of the photoconductor drum, the first and second spacer cams rotate about the shaft of the charge roller and permit the charge roller to be engaged against the photoconductor drum by the compression springs.

Abstract: A refurbished toner cartridge includes a cover having elongated side dimensions with integral flanges and a mating bottle also having elongated side flanges, the flanges bonded to create an interior volume for holding a print toner. At one end of the cartridge is a toner fill opening which enables access into the interior volume. The refurbished cartridge further comprises a flexible bladder that is inserted through the fill opening and is positioned within the interior volume of the cartridge. Toner is contained in the bladder and is released upon the bladder being ruptured by user actuation of either an internal knife blade or a pull string attached to the bladder.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating the type of toner print cartridge which has been loaded into an electrophotographic printer. These include the mounting of a toner-type-indicative conductive strip on the outside surface of a toner print cartridge and then mating this conductive strip with a pair of electrical contacts within the printer housing when a lid or cover carrying the toner print cartridge is closed into the printer housing. Go or no go closed loop control and switching circuitry is connected between the pair of electrical contacts and a formatter within the printer to thereby instruct the printer either to print, or not to print, respectively, depending upon the presence or absence of the conductive strip on the outside surface of the toner print cartridge. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an extended board connect stage is provided with an electronic (digital) two-position switch which is selectively addressable by a custom personality cartridge.