Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locating a network device relative to other network devices are useful for the management of wireless computing networks. Signal strength in a wireless network is indicative of a distance between a transmitting device and a receiving device. Through use of triangulation of the received signals at multiple receiving devices, the relative location of the transmitting device can be determined. Methods of refining the estimation of the expected location of the transmitting device are further provided. Defining an absolute location for at least one of the devices will permit determining the absolute location of the remaining devices based on these relative locations. Locating network devices relative to each other facilitates identifying a closest available resource within the network.

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 scale is provided, the scale including a cavity having a resonant frequency which is alterable with variations in mass of a load applied to the cavity. The scale also typically includes a comparator operatively coupled with the cavity to detect actual resonant frequency under the load, to compare such actual resonant frequency with a reference resonant frequency, and to produce a difference signal indicative of mass of the load.

Abstract: A printing device component having a memory tag with password protected data areas to control read and write access to the memory tag. The memory tag provides an encrypted authorization code to a printing device into which the component is installed. The printing device determines if the authorization code is valid and, if so, the printing device enables all printing device functions. Otherwise, limited functions are enabled. The memory tag utilizes encryption methods to allow only authorized user access to read from and write to selected data areas of the memory tag.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for presenting dynamic mapping information in a wireless network are useful in locating or identifying a desired service-providing device within the wireless network relative to a service-requesting device. The mapping information may be physical network mapping or it may be physical network mapping combined with logical network mapping. The mapping may further include supplemental information regarding the network and its devices. The physical network mapping provides information regarding the location of a service-providing device relative to a service-requesting device. Dynamic mapping information accommodates transient users of the wireless network, facilitating location or identification of a desired service-providing device in an unfamiliar network or surrounding.

Abstract: A computer is provided that monitors one or more printers over a network in order to determine when new components in each of the printers should be replaced. Each time a printer prints a document, the printer sends a signal to the computer. The computer responds by querying the printer to determine if a components in the printer should be replaced. In addition, each printer is configured to transmit a message to the printer indicating that the component should be replaced. If the computer determines that a component should be replaced, the computer can automatically transmit an order for a new component to a vendor.

Abstract: Arrangements and procedures are described to provide print media information to an imaging device independently of marking every sheet in a stack of print media and independently of repetitively marking portions on a roll of media after images have been formed on the roll. Specifically, an electronic tag is fixed to a medium. The electronic tag stores information that identifies a corresponding quantity and type of print media. After the medium has been loaded into an imaging device, the stored information is detected by the imaging device. The imaging device uses the detected information to automatically configure itself to print on each sheet or portion of a roll loaded print media.

Abstract: A method of configuring a hard copy output engine includes downloading data including a configuration plug-in and configuration data each including user-specified information and configuring the hard copy output engine using the downloaded data.

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 configuring a hard copy output engine includes activating a hot link and configuring the hard copy output engine via an embedded web server contained in the hard copy output engine using the activated hot link.

Abstract: Systems and procedures are described to automatically configure an imaging device to form images on sheets of print media that are loaded in the imaging device. To accomplish this, the imaging device reads, or senses a single marking from at least one edge of the sheet of print media. The marking includes data; the data provides orientation information with respect to how the print sheet is loaded in the imaging device. The data further includes a set of media parameter information corresponding to the sheet of print media. The imaging device configures itself to form images on the sheet of print media based on at least a portion of the sensed data from the sheet of print media.

Abstract: Image forming devices and methods of forming hard images are provided. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes a housing including a media path arranged to guide media; a sensor configured to obtain encoded data from the media and to output a signal indicative of the encoded data; and imaging circuitry configured to form hard images upon the media, to receive the signal and to perform at least one function with respect to the formation of the hard images within the image forming device responsive to the encoded data indicated within the signal.

Abstract: A method of device discovery includes downloading a device discovery plug in, activating the device discovery plug in to collect data describing peripheral devices related to a vendor associated with the device discovery plug in and transmitting data describing peripheral devices discovered by the device discovery plug in.

Abstract: Systems and procedures are described for an imaging device to download media parameters from a remote server computer that is connected to the imaging device across a network. Specifically, the imaging device detects a media ID from print media. Responsive to detecting the media ID, the imaging device downloads a set of media parameters that correspond to the Media ID from the server computer. The imaging device uses these downloaded media parameters to automatically configure itself.

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 method of configuring a hard copy output engine includes receiving an electronic message including configuration data and configuring the hard copy output engine using the configuration data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locating a network device relative to other network devices are useful for the management of wireless computing networks. Signal strength in a wireless network is indicative of a distance between a transmitting device and a receiving device. Through use of triangulation of the received signals at multiple receiving devices, the relative location of the transmitting device can be determined. Methods of refining the estimation of the expected location of the transmitting device are further provided. Defining an absolute location for at least one of the devices will permit determining the absolute location of the remaining devices based on these relative locations. Locating network devices relative to each other facilitates identifying a closest available resource within the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying and prioritizing wireless network devices are useful for selectively establishing communications based on the prioritization. Signal strength in a wireless network is indicative of a distance between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The strongest signal can be presumed to be emanating from the nearest device. Other signal qualities can be indicative of a presumed quality of service. By combining signal quality information with supplemental information concerning the devices, the various embodiments facilitate identifying those devices that match some selection criteria and prioritizing those matching devices based on the signal quality information. An example is to identify the wireless network device having desired characteristics that is nearest a network user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component is of the type sold through a plurality of sales channels. The replaceable printing component includes a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of a particular sales channel of a plurality of sales channels. Also included in the replaceable printing component is an electrical storage device for storing information indicative of the particular sales channel. The electrical storage device provides information indicative of the particular sales channel for reordering the replaceable printing component.