Abstract: A system for sensing material within a container includes a container having a reservoir for storing material and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the container to cause vibration of the container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of the material in the container based on the sensed vibration of the container.

Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a toner container having a reservoir for storing toner and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the toner container to cause vibration of the toner container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the toner container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the toner container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in the reservoir based on the sensed vibration of the toner container.

Abstract: A method for managing network service response times by a client device is provided. The client device determines whether a network service of a service provider is reachable or active and determines a service response time of the service provider. The client device communicates to the service provider a request to establish a conditional connection based on an average accept service time of a connection and a maximum service response time.

Abstract: Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for switching between interrupt context input/output I/O processing versus thread context I/O processing. The method includes receiving, by a processor of a plurality of processors, an interrupt. A device driver for an I/O adapter determines that the dispatch latency for an associated kernel thread is greater than a first predetermined threshold. An adapter switches to an interrupt context mode. The adapter processes an I/O on the processor associated with the received interrupt to completion.

Abstract: Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for switching between interrupt context input/output I/O processing versus thread context I/O processing. The method includes receiving, by a processor of a plurality of processors, an interrupt. A device driver for an I/O adapter determines that the dispatch latency for an associated kernel thread is greater than a first predetermined threshold. An adapter switches to an interrupt context mode. The adapter processes an I/O on the processor associated with the received interrupt to completion.

Abstract: A method for managing network service response times by a client device is provided. The client device determines whether a network service of a service provider is reachable or active and determines a service response time of the service provider. The client device communicates to the service provider a request to establish a conditional connection based on an average accept service time of a connection and a maximum service response time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for two channel TCP are provided. Aspects include establishing a first TCP connection over a primary channel with a server, the primary channel having a first latency and a first bandwidth, establishing a second TCP connection over a secondary channel with the server, the secondary channel having a second latency and second bandwidth, establishing a first data stream with the server over the secondary channel at a first time period, and establishing a second data stream with the server over the primary channel during a second time period, wherein a start of the second time period is after the first time period.

Abstract: A networked system having a host computer and multiple printers with bi-directional communications capabilities is provided in which the setup (configuration) of one printer can be easily communicated to another printer, using NPAP messages. The host computer can be used by a Network Administrator to "read" the setup or configuration information inside each of the printers connected to the network that have the required NPAP bi-directional communications capability. This setup information, once communicated to the host computer, can be stored in a long-term memory, such as a hard disk drive, for future reference. The setup information can also be communicated to one or more printers connected to the network, and such printers can be configured by the setup information in which that information is used either as their initial setup information, or as a modified setup.

Abstract: An improved printing system is provided having at least one host computer and a printer in which the printer acquires print job accounting information and communicates it to the host computer via NPAP messages. A host computer downloads print job data to the printer through a communications port on the printer (i.e., either a parallel port, serial port, or network port), and as the printer prints the print job that it received from the host computer, the printer temporarily stores job accounting information. At the end of the print job, the printer communicates that job accounting information back to armed host computers via a bi-directional communications port, including typical information such as: the job identifier number, job processing time, number of sheets of paper from each paper source, number of impressions from each paper source (either one-sided or two-sided impressions), the port identifier, the network user name, the name of the print job (as specified), and the printer's serial number.

Abstract: A networked system having a host computer and multiple printers with bi-directional communications capabilities is provided in which the setup (configuration) of one printer can be easily communicated to another printer, using NPAP messages. The host computer can be used by a Network Administrator to "read" the setup or configuration information inside each of the printers connected to the network that have the required NPAP bi-directional communications capability. This setup information, once communicated to the host computer, can be stored in a long-term memory, such as a hard disk drive, for future reference. The setup information can also be communicated to one or more printers connected to the network, and such printers can be configured by the setup information in which that information is used either as their initial setup information, or as a modified setup.

Abstract: An improved printing system is provided having at least one host computer and a printer in which the printer acquires print job accounting information and communicates it to the host computer via NPAP messages. A host computer downloads print job data to the printer through a communications port on the printer (i.e., either a parallel port, serial port, or network port), and as the printer prints the print job that it received from the host computer, the printer temporarily stores job accounting information. At the end of the print job, the printer communicates that job accounting information back to armed host computers via a bi-directional communications port, including typical information such as: the job identifier number, job processing time, number of sheets of paper from each paper source, number of impressions from each paper source (either one-sided or two-sided impressions), the port identifier, the network user name, the name of the print job (as specified), and the printer's serial number.

Abstract: Bidirectional communications between a host computer and a printer connected to the host, either locally or by way of a network, are used to provide a user of the host with access to a substantially real-time, visual and functional replica of the operator panel of the printer. The user may view the replica to access all data available through the printer operator panel. Using a mouse or other input device, the user of the host computer can also effectively actuate any pushbuttons or other operator panel control devices depicted as part of the replica.