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: 11126112
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable developer roll is mounted on the housing. A doctor blade has a distal end in contact with the outer surface of the developer roll along a length of the developer roll for metering toner on the outer surface of the developer roll. The doctor blade has a proximate end positioned against a portion of the housing. A toner agitator in the reservoir has a shaft. A support in the reservoir is positioned in close proximity to the shaft to limit bending of the shaft. A first end of the support contacts an inner surface of the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against. The support stiffens the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11119443
    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 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210247704
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR., RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210247705
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: VIRGIL JOHNSON, Jr., RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210200144
    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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210200122
    Abstract: A sealing assembly according to one example embodiment includes a housing and an imaging component positioned on the housing. A seal has opposed first and second edges extending along a longitudinal dimension of the seal. A lateral dimension of the seal is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension and extends in a direction from the first edge to the second edge. The seal is attached to the housing along the first edge and contacts the imaging component along the second edge. Upon attachment to the housing, the seal is elastically deformed from an unassembled state in which the second edge has a first profile that varies in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension to an assembled state in which the second edge is deformed relative to the first profile to a second profile having less variation in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension than the first profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: MARK WILLIAM AMANN, RICHARD LOUIS GOIN, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210200115
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable developer roll is mounted on the housing. A doctor blade has a distal end in contact with the outer surface of the developer roll along a length of the developer roll for metering toner on the outer surface of the developer roll. The doctor blade has a proximate end positioned against a portion of the housing. A toner agitator in the reservoir has a shaft. A support in the reservoir is positioned in close proximity to the shaft to limit bending of the shaft. A first end of the support contacts an inner surface of the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against. The support stiffens the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210200142
    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: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: GREGORY ALAN CAVILL, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20210181670
    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: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 11022909
    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: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11022910
    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: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 10983457
    Abstract: A sealing assembly according to one example embodiment includes a housing and an imaging component positioned on the housing. A seal has opposed first and second edges extending along a longitudinal dimension of the seal. A lateral dimension of the seal is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension and extends in a direction from the first edge to the second edge. The seal is attached to the housing along the first edge and contacts the imaging component along the second edge. Upon attachment to the housing, the seal is elastically deformed from an unassembled state in which the second edge has a first profile that varies in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension to an assembled state in which the second edge is deformed relative to the first profile to a second profile having less variation in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension than the first profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Richard Louis Goin, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210097415
    Abstract: A system includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory stores an account database and a scenario database. Each scenario includes a set of rules to apply to account parameters to determine adjusted account parameters. The memory stores instructions that, upon execution, cause the at least one processor to, in response to receiving a request including a first scenario of the set of scenarios, identify a first set of rules from the scenario database corresponding to the first scenario. The instructions cause the processor to obtain first account parameters of the first account and adjust the first account parameters based on the first set of rules. The instructions cause the processor to calculate a set of outcome metrics of the first account based on the adjusted account parameters and plot the set of outcome metrics based on a plot type included in the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Randal Scott HOWELL, Nicholas THEODORAKOS
  • Publication number: 20210097191
    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: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Randal Scott HOWELL, Eric John HAINS, Justin Wayne WEBSTER
  • Publication number: 20210048765
    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: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON, VIRGIL JOHNSON, JR.
  • Patent number: 10921393
    Abstract: A system for use in authentication processes is described comprising a physical unclonable function (“PUF”), a substrate, a plurality of magnetized particles randomly dispersed in the substrate, a PUF reader constructed using multiple discrete magnetometer chips that have magnetic field sensors, placed on a circuit card in an array with a sufficient center to center spacing between sensing elements of adjacent magnetometer chips, wherein the PUF reader measures the magnetic field data at multiple locations in close proximity to the magnetized particles. The measured magnetic field data may be compared to previously enrolled data to assess authenticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William Pohl Corbett, Gary Allen Denton, James Paul Drummond, Keith Bryan Hardin, Kelly Ann Killeen, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 10859944
    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 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal Scott Williamson, Virgil Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200371469
    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 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20200348620
    Abstract: A sealing assembly according to one example embodiment includes a housing and an imaging component positioned on the housing. A seal has opposed first and second edges extending along a longitudinal dimension of the seal. A lateral dimension of the seal is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension and extends in a direction from the first edge to the second edge. The seal is attached to the housing along the first edge and contacts the imaging component along the second edge. Upon attachment to the housing, the seal is elastically deformed from an unassembled state in which the second edge has a first profile that varies in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension to an assembled state in which the second edge is deformed relative to the first profile to a second profile having less variation in the lateral dimension along the longitudinal dimension than the first profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: MARK WILLIAM AMANN, RICHARD LOUIS GOIN, RANDAL SCOTT WILLIAMSON
  • Patent number: 10775737
    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: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson