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: The flexible printing system is comprised of a printer that has printing characteristics that can be updated. A printer cartridge comprises printer data memory that either stores new printing characteristics or stores a location from the Internet from which these characteristics can be downloaded. The printer accesses the cartridge's printer data memory and checks the stored printing characteristics. If the printer can use these characteristics and they differ from the characteristics that are presently being used by the printer, the printer updates its printing characteristics using the printer data memory's printing characteristics. In one embodiment, the printer characteristics are color tables and dithering algorithms.

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.

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: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting overhead transparencies (OHT), such as a dual OHT. Dual overhead transparencies, preferably, have a coating on one side that is compatible with ink jet-type printers and a coating on the other side that is compatible with laser jet-type printers. Such structures of this type, inform the user of the type of OHT.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting overhead transparencies (OHT), such as a dual OHT. Dual overhead transparencies, preferably, have a coating on one side that is compatible with ink jet-type printers and a coating on the other side that is compatible with laser jet-type printers. Such structures of this type, inform the user of the type of OHT.

Abstract: Systems and method for managing software updates for printing devices utilize component memory to provide ways to notify printing device users that a software update for the printing device is available. Upon authorization by a user, the user is also provided with means to obtain the software update, either by downloading the software update to the printing device or a host computer or by manually contacting a vendor. The process may also be accomplished automatically. The component memory may also store a pointer to an Internet web site from which the software update may be downloaded. The component memory is radio frequency identifier memory and, therefore, different software update information intended for different printing device users may be stored immediately prior to shipping replacement components.

Abstract: A consumable management device, an image forming system, and a method of replenishing an imaging consumable are described. According to one aspect, a consumable management device includes an interface configured to receive a first message including a first designation identifying an imaging consumable used by an image forming device to form hard images; and processing circuitry coupled with the interface, the processing circuitry being configured to convert the first designation identifying the imaging consumable to a second designation identifying the imaging consumable, to generate a second message including the second designation, and to forward the second message to the interface for communication to an entity for assisting with replenishment of the imaging consumable.

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 status of a portion of the hard copy output engine from a sensor incorporated in the hard copy output engine, composing an electronic message including the detected status and transmitting the electronic message to a scheduling engine.

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 method of notifying an operator of an event with respect to a hard copy output engine includes detecting a status of a portion of the hard copy output engine from a sensor incorporated in the hard copy output engine and displaying, in response to detecting, a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface includes information describing the portion and the status, and includes a set of user-selectable options. The set of user-selectable options includes dismissal of the graphical user interface, assistance in ordering consumables or services identified by the graphical user interface, deferment of action with respect to the consumables or services identified by the graphical user interface for a user-selectable interval and inhibiting further displaying of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A consumable order-assistance system is provided for computer peripheral devices. The system includes a personal computer, at least one computer peripheral device, and a user interaction site. The personal computer has 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. The user interaction site is configured to receive a notification from the computer peripheral device via the messaging system of a need to order a consumable. The user interaction site is provided within one of: a single-connection environment as an end user interface; an unmanaged network environment as a workgroup administrator interface; and a server-based centralized network environment as a centralized system administrator interface. A method is also provided.

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: A consumable management device, an image forming system, and a method of managing an imaging consumable of an image forming device are described. According to an aspect of the present invention, a consumable management device includes an interface adapted to communicate with an image forming device configured to use an imaging consumable to form a hard image, the interface being adapted to receive a status message from the image forming device corresponding to the status of the imaging consumable within the image forming device; storage circuitry configured to store a current inventory status of the imaging consumable within an inventory for the image forming device; and processing circuitry coupled with the interface and configured to update the current inventory status responsive to the status message providing an updated inventory status.

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: Systems and methods are described that allow customization of user messages in a printing system. A printing device includes a replaceable component that includes component memory. First and second message data are stored in the component memory, the message data being message text or a pointer to message text. If the message data is a pointer to message text, the message text is stored in printing device memory, in memory of a host computer or on a remote site accessible via a host computer. A first message is displayed to a user in response to detection of a first event. A second message is displayed to the user in response to detection of a second event. If the message data are pointers to message text external to the printing device, an entity delivering the messages can change the message text without reconfiguring the printing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating notifications associated with the lifetime of peripheral unit consumables are described. In the described embodiments, users or clients are able to define and adjust their own threshold values that are associated with a consumable's lifetime. In one embodiment, a lifetime monitoring mechanism is provided and monitors the lifetime of a peripheral unit consumable that is associated with operation of the peripheral unit. The lifetime monitoring mechanism is configured with a user-manipulable, threshold-defining mechanism that is configured to receive user input and, responsive to the user input, define a threshold value for the lifetime monitoring mechanism. The peripheral unit's use of the consumable is monitored using the lifetime monitoring mechanism. A determination is made when the peripheral unit's use of the consumable reaches the threshold value and, responsive thereto, a notification is generated.

Abstract: A redundant reorder prevention system prevents redundant reorders for replaceable components in printing devices. The replaceable component has memory integrated therein which contains a reorder value field. The reorder value field is initially configured in a first state which indicates that a new replaceable component has not been ordered to replace the current replaceable component. Before the system orders a new replaceable component, it checks the reorder value field. If the first state is detected, a new replaceable component is ordered and the reorder value field is reconfigured to a second state which indicates that the new replaceable component has been ordered. If the second state is detected before an order is placed, the order process is terminated before a new replaceable component is ordered.