Abstract: A system for associating a data collector with a network account includes a first computing device to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices on a network. The first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device, and the first computing device assigns a filename to a data collector data packet. The filename includes information related to the network account associated with the second computing device. The information related to the network account is embedded within binary code of the data collector data packet.

Abstract: A system (100) for associating a data collector (FIG. 2, 340-2) with a network account comprises a first computing device (FIG. 1, 115) to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices (110-1, 110-2, 110-n) on a network, in which the first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device (FIG. 1, 105), and in which the system (100) assigns a filename (FIG. 12, 1205) to a data collector data packet (FIG. 2, 340-2), the filename (FIG. 12, 1205) comprising information related to the network account associated with the second computing device (FIG. 1, 105).

Abstract: A system (100) for associating a data collector (FIG. 2, 340-2) with a network account comprises a first computing device (FIG. 1, 115) to collect data associated with the use of a number of object devices (110-1, 110-2, 110-n) on a network, in which the first computing device creates a network account associated with a second computing device (FIG. 1, 105), and in which the system (100) assigns a filename (FIG. 12, 1205) to a data collector data packet (FIG. 2, 340-2), the filename (FIG. 12, 1205) comprising information related to the network account associated with the second computing device (FIG. 1, 105).

Abstract: A System including a first WEB client, a second WEB Client, and a remote computer is described. The remote computer is operable to pool cookies received by both the first and the second WEB clients. In one implementation, the system is used by multiple users to purchase items, such as printer cartridges, from an online shopping system.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by a processor within a peripheral device, that an amount of a consumable associated with the peripheral device has decreased below a predetermined threshold and transmitting an email from the peripheral device to order additional supplies of the consumable.

Abstract: Supply state information associated with a peripheral device that is shared over a network while coupled to a local network resource is obtained and a representation of the supply state information is stored in a data repository that is accessible by remote network resources.

Abstract: A method of programming a memory unit in a hard copy output engine includes determining a geographical area or economic region within which the hard copy output engine is to be deployed, determining an electronic address for a consumables supplier appropriate to the geographical area and programming the electronic address into the memory.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by a processor within a peripheral device, that an amount of a consumable associated with the peripheral device has decreased below a predetermined threshold and transmitting an email from the peripheral device to order additional supplies of the consumable.

Abstract: A printing device has a replaceable component. Printing by the printing device utilizes the replaceable component. Printing with the printing device is stopped when an end-of-life condition is detected for the replaceable component. A list of one or more identifiers (IDs) is output for pending print jobs. In response to an input of one of the IDs, the corresponding pending print job is printed.

Abstract: A method of scheduling an event with respect to a hard copy output engine includes detecting a first status of a first portion of the hard copy output engine from a first sensor incorporated in the hard copy output engine and detecting a second status of a second portion of the hard copy output engine from a second sensor incorporated in the hard copy output engine. The method also includes composing an electronic message including the detected first and second status and transmitting the electronic message.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a method for ascertaining resource requirements of a print job sent to a printer via a print driver. The method includes creating a document of the print job with the print driver and reading the print job into memory directly from the print driver, sampling a task requiring a consumable resource to provide a sample by overlaying a sample window over a portion of the document and providing low resolution level analysis data with respect to resource requirements of the task, analyzing the sample window and low resolution level analysis of the task with respect to resource requirements thereof and providing task sample requirement data in response thereto and ascertaining the resource requirements of the task based on the task sample requirement data.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locally setting and storing customer preferences. The apparatus includes a personal computer, a computer peripheral device, a reseller web server, and a device manufacturer web server. The personal computer has a web browser and a messaging system. The computer peripheral device has a messaging system communicating with the personal computer. The reseller web server has a messaging system communicating with the personal computer, and configured to capture customer preferences from a customer accessing the reseller web server to order consumables via the computer peripheral device. The device manufacturer web server has a messaging system, communicating with the reseller web server and the computer peripheral device and operative to receive the customer preferences from the reseller web server and forward the customer preferences to the computer peripheral device using the messaging address for the computer peripheral device. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An image forming device, an image forming system, and a method of facilitating ordering of an imaging consumable are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating printer resources compares an amount of printer resources required to print a document to an amount of printer resources available at a printer to determine whether sufficient resources are available to successfully print the document. If insufficient resources are available, the apparatus alerts the user so that the user may replenish the resources prior to printing. When used in a computer network, the apparatus causes the printer to switch from a client print server mode to a direct printing mode causing the printer to stop responding to print commands issued by a print server and to instead respond to print commands issued by a print driver associated with the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus, an article of manufacture, and a method of configuring an image forming device are provided.

Abstract: A consumable order assistance system is provided for computer peripheral devices. The system includes a personal computer, at least one computer peripheral device, a communication link, and a consumable order assistance computer program. The personal computer has a web browser and a messaging system. The at least one computer peripheral device has a messaging system. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of a consumable for the computer peripheral device via the web browser. The consumable order assistance computer program is provided on the personal computer and is configured to receive a notification from the computer peripheral device via the messaging system of a need to order a consumable, alert a user of the personal computer of the notification, and provide an order location to the user for the consumable. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Image forming devices and methods of facilitating ordering of an imaging consumable are described. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes an interface adapted to communicate with a communication medium external of the image forming device; imaging circuitry configured to use an imaging consumable to form hard images; a sensor configured to monitor a status of the imaging consumable; and processing circuitry coupled with the sensor and configured to generate a message indicating the status of the imaging consumable and to synchronize with another image forming device to control a timing of a communication of the message externally of the image forming device using the interface.

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 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 printing device has a replaceable component. Printing by the printing device utilizes the replaceable component. Printing with the printing device is stopped when an end-of-life condition is detected for the replaceable component. A list of one or more identifiers (IDs) is output for pending print jobs. In response to an input of one of the IDs, the corresponding pending print job is printed.