Patents by Inventor Randal Scott

Randal Scott has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11656561
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Williamson, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230081022
    Abstract: A method includes storing a test database of tests and corresponding test rules, storing a user information database, storing a profile database, and storing a threshold database including thresholds corresponding to test scores and similarity scores. The method includes, in response to receiving interaction parameters of an interaction performed by a user, identifying a set of tests based on the interaction parameters. The method includes, for each of the set of tests: calculating a score using user data of the user, corresponding test rules, and the interaction parameters; adjusting the score based on the user's profile; obtaining a threshold corresponding to the identified test; and, in response to the score exceeding the threshold, categorizing the interaction within a first category. The method also includes generating and transmitting an alert in response to the interaction being categorized within the first category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott HOWELL, Eric John HAINS, Justin Wayne WEBSTER
  • Patent number: 11520282
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable developer roll mounted on the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A portion of an outer surface of the developer roll is exposed along a front of the body for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum on an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit in an operative position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit. A first engagement member positioned on a rear of the body is configured to engage a corresponding second engagement member on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit to retain the toner cartridge in a storage position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit with the developer roll spaced away from the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11514179
    Abstract: A method includes storing a test database of tests and corresponding test rules, storing a user information database, storing a profile database, and storing a threshold database including thresholds corresponding to test scores and similarity scores. The method includes, in response to receiving interaction parameters of an interaction performed by a user, identifying a set of tests based on the interaction parameters. The method includes, for each of the set of tests: calculating a score using user data of the user, corresponding test rules, and the interaction parameters; adjusting the score based on the user's profile; obtaining a threshold corresponding to the identified test; and, in response to the score exceeding the threshold, categorizing the interaction within a first category. The method also includes generating and transmitting an alert in response to the interaction being categorized within the first category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Howell, Eric John Hains, Justin Wayne Webster
  • Patent number: 11385566
    Abstract: A replaceable unit is removably installable in an image forming device. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable input gear that is positioned to mate with an output gear of the image forming device. The replaceable unit includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the replaceable unit and that is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member. The replaceable unit includes an alignment guide on the exterior of the replaceable unit. The image forming device includes a sensor supported by a sensor housing. The alignment guide is positioned to contact and move the sensor housing during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device to align the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member for reading the identifying information from the encoded member by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11378897
    Abstract: A toner container includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the toner container and that is operatively connected to an input gear of the toner container such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the identifying information to a sensor. A first alignment guide on the first side of the toner container includes a top surface that is unobstructed to contact a sensor housing from below when the toner container is installed in an image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide inclines upward and rearward for contacting and lifting the sensor housing upward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for aligning the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11353824
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Publication number: 20220171325
    Abstract: A first replaceable unit is provided for use with a second replaceable unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. The first replaceable unit includes a latch movable between a latching position for latching the first replaceable unit to the second replaceable unit and an unlatching position for permitting the first replaceable unit to separate from the second replaceable unit. The latch is positioned to contact a latch catch on the second replaceable unit in order to prevent the first replaceable unit from separating from the second replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is mated with the second replaceable unit and the latch is in the latching position. The latch includes a cam follower surface for contacting a camming surface on the second replaceable unit during mating of the first replaceable unit with the second replaceable unit to cause the latch to move toward the latching or unlatching position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventor: RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 11347180
    Abstract: A component separator system for use with an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first replaceable unit and a second replaceable unit for use in the image forming device. The second replaceable unit is manually separable from the first replaceable unit. The first replaceable unit is mateable with the second replaceable unit in an operative position of the first replaceable unit relative to the second replaceable unit with a first imaging component of the first replaceable unit in operative contact with a second imaging component of the second replaceable unit. Engagement of a first engagement member of the first replaceable unit with a second engagement member of the second replaceable unit retains the first replaceable unit in a storage position relative to the second replaceable unit with the first imaging component spaced away from the second imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11287770
    Abstract: A first replaceable unit is provided for use with a second replaceable unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. The first replaceable unit includes a latch movable between a latching position for latching the first replaceable unit to the second replaceable unit and an unlatching position for permitting the first replaceable unit to separate from the second replaceable unit. The latch is positioned to contact a latch catch on the second replaceable unit in order to prevent the first replaceable unit from separating from the second replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is mated with the second replaceable unit and the latch is in the latching position. The latch includes a cam follower surface for contacting a camming surface on the second replaceable unit during mating of the first replaceable unit with the second replaceable unit to cause the latch to move toward the latching or unlatching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Scott Williamson
  • Publication number: 20220091538
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON, VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220035304
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable developer roll mounted on the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A portion of an outer surface of the developer roll is exposed along a front of the body for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum on an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit in an operative position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit. A first engagement member positioned on a rear of the body is configured to engage a corresponding second engagement member on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit to retain the toner cartridge in a storage position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit with the developer roll spaced away from the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 11221568
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An input gear is positioned on the housing for mating with a corresponding output gear in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A toner agitator is movably positioned in the reservoir. The toner agitator is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a first rotational direction causes movement of the toner agitator for agitating toner in the reservoir. An encoded member is encoded with authentication information of the toner container and is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear in a second rotational direction causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the authentication information of the toner container to a controller of the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Williamson, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210364984
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 11175621
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable developer roll mounted on the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A portion of an outer surface of the developer roll is exposed along a front of the body for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum on an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit in an operative position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit. A first engagement member positioned on a rear of the body is configured to engage a corresponding second engagement member on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit to retain the toner cartridge in a storage position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit with the developer roll spaced away from the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11174148
    Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles are provided. In general, the devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles can be configured to heat fluid dispensable by a user into a fuel tank or other type of container. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a first passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and can include a second passageway fluidically isolated from the first passageway and having a heating element disposed therein. The heating element can be configured to heat the fluid passing through the first passageway. The first and second passageways can extend through at least a distal portion of a hose of the fluid dispensing device and through at least a proximal portion of a nozzle of the fluid dispensing device that has a proximal end attached to a distal end of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Artemus A. Shelton, Daniel Holmes, Jeffrey Reiter, Randal Scott Kretzler
  • Patent number: 11137699
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner and a rotatable auger in the reservoir. A screw flight of the auger is configured to move toner away from a first end of the auger and toward a second end of the auger when the auger rotates in an operative rotational direction. A segment of the screw flight at a first end of the screw flight has an outer diameter that is reduced in comparison with an outer diameter of the screw flight outside the segment of the screw flight to reduce an efficiency of the auger at the first end of the screw flight for reducing toner packing against an interior wall of the housing when the auger rotates in a direction counter to the operative rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: D936138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Scott Siekmann, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: D952030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin, Jay Scott Siekmann, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Randal Scott Williamson, Trey Dustin Gilliam
  • Patent number: D955472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson