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 user interface event is received by way of a user interface. A software component adapted to process the user interface event may be pushed onto a memory stack, and the user interface event may be processed using the software component on the stack, or with a software component that is not on the stack. The software component on the stack, if used, may then be popped from the memory stack. In addition, a plurality of software components may be pushed onto the memory stack, and in that case, at least one of the components may be selected to process the user interface event. The user interface event is processed using at least one of the plurality of software components, and one or more of the plurality of software components are popped from the memory stack.

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 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 method of responding to a status change for a peripheral device includes determining that a status change has occurred in the peripheral device, combining a unique device identifier relevant to the peripheral device with the status change to form an electronic message and transmitting the electronic message across a firewall.

Abstract: A consumable order assistance system for a computer peripheral device includes a computer peripheral device, a personal computer, a user interface, and a communication link. The computer peripheral device has a consumable requiring periodic replenishment. The personal computer is signal coupled with the peripheral device. The user interface is provided on one of the computer peripheral device and the personal computer, and is operative to notify a user of a state of the consumable. The communication link signal couples the personal computer with a provider of the consumable for the peripheral device. The personal computer is operative to monitor the computer peripheral device to determine the state of the consumable, and to notify a user via the user interface of a need to replenish the consumable. A method for replacing consumables is also provided.

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 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: An acoustic temperature measurement system for pipeline fluids comprises a loudspeaker (16) with spaced microphone (18) in a sealed pipe (10) with end cap (11). A computer arrangement (22) provides a tone burst signal which drives the speaker via power amplifier (21) and the outgoing and reflected signal is detected by the microphone (18) and following amplification in amplifier (20) passes to the computer (22) for processing. The signals are processed to determine phase relationships indicative of temperature and can be used in correcting leakage measurement readings.

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: Systems and methods for ascertaining resource requirements print jobs. There are at least two significant features of the invention. A first feature results from a provision of a system and method for segmenting the document to provide a sample window. A RIP (Raster Image Processing) analysis is performed with respect to the sample to determine a ratio of laser on and laser off times for same. On the basis of the RIP analysis with respect to the sample data, the requirements of the entire document are estimated. The resource requirements of the entire job are then estimated, page by page, in a similar manner and compared to a resource (e.g. toner) availability data provided by the printer. If adequate resources are available, the job is printed. If adequate resources are not available, a message is provided to the user or, the printer is automatically supplied with additional resources.

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: 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 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: A consumable component replenishment and maintenance assistance system is provided within a centralized network environment. The system includes a computer network, at least one computer peripheral device, a personal computer, and a centralized server. The at least one computer peripheral device is provided within the network and has an embedded web server and a consumable component. The personal computer is provided within the network and has a user interface usable by a maintainer to maintain operation of the at least one computer peripheral device. The server is provided within the network and has a consumable component consolidation program.

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: Diffusion coatings incorporating approximately 18 to 35 wt % Cr and 1 to 3% Si in 2.25Cr-1.0Mo steel and 1018 steel have been produced using a pack cementation method. The codeposition of these concentrations of Cr and Si into the 2.25Cr-1.0Mo and 1018 steel requires the use of a "mixed activator" (fused salt solution of NaF and NaCl). Cyclic oxidation tests in air at 700.degree. C. of a coated 2.25Cr-1.0Mo steel coupon with a surface concentration of 34Cr-3Si have shown excellent cyclic oxidation resistance. Furthermore, a 1018 coupon coated to a surface concentration of Fe-30 wt % Cr-3Si shows negligible aqueous corrosion in an aerated 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature. These coatings have provided similar protection in more complex oxidizing and reducing atmospheres.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying fire fighting foam is disclosed. Fire fighting foam analyzer 10 uses a large capacity container 11 having a viewing window 12 disposed in a substantially vertical wall 13. The viewing window 12 has thereon a volume scale 14 containing volume graduations and a ratio scale 15. To classify a foam by a foam type, fire fighting foam analyzer 10 is filled with an initial volume of foam, the initial volume is recorded, solution is allowed to separate from the foam for a given period of time, a final solution volume is recorded, the ratio of initial foam volume to final solution volume is determined and the ratio is correlated to a particular foam type by reading the ratio scale 15.