Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a controller and a media detection device mechanically engaged with a stack of print media. The media detection device has a movable indicator having a surface with distinct reflectance characteristics. A reflectance sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller. The reflectance sensor reads a reflectance of the surface and outputs a signal to the controller indicative of at least one characteristic of the print media.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: An auto-document feeder re-ingestion stop includes an auto-document feeder having a lower input tray and an upper output tray, the upper output tray having a length which is shorter than the length of input tray so that exiting or exited media depends onto the input tray, a flexible stopper depending from the upper output tray and inhibiting the exited media from being re-ingested by paper-to-paper friction during feeding of media in the input tray.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: A method for scanning and processing a document with an imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus having a scanner with a scan bar, includes operating the scanner to obtain preliminary image data; performing at least one of translating the document across the scan bar and translating the scan bar across the document while operating the scanner; detecting an edge of the document based on a change in the preliminary image data; scanning the document to generate document image data based on the detecting the edge; and processing the document image data based on detecting the edge to generate a scanned image.

Abstract: An auto-document feeder re-ingestion stop includes an auto-document feeder having a lower input tray and an upper output tray, the upper output tray having a length which is shorter than the length of input tray so that exiting or exited media depends onto the input tray, a flexible stopper depending from the upper output tray and inhibiting the exited media from being re-ingested by paper-to-paper friction during feeding of media in the input tray.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a controller and a media detection device mechanically engaged with a print media. The media detection device has a movable indicator having a surface with distinct reflectance characteristics. A reflectance sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller. The reflectance sensor reads a reflectance of the surface and outputs a signal to the controller indicative of at least one characteristic of the print media.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a controller and a media detection device mechanically engaged with a stack of print media. The media detection device has a movable indicator having a surface with distinct reflectance characteristics. A reflectance sensor is communicatively coupled to the controller. The reflectance sensor reads a reflectance of the surface and outputs a signal to the controller indicative of at least one characteristic of the print media.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

Abstract: An improved signal converter is provided to interface between an IEEE 1284 (parallel) bus or device and an IEEE 1394 (serial) bus or device. The converter in its preferred embodiment is designed for use with printers, in which the printer communicates with the converter through either the converter's 1284 port or its 1394 port. In one system, the converter acts as a “1284-to-1394 converter” to interface between a printer (on the 1394 port) and a host computer (on the 1284 port). In a second system, the converter acts as a “peer-to-peer 1394-to-1284 converter” to interface between a printer (on the 1284 port) and some type of 1394 compliant device (on the 1394 port), such as a digital camera. The converter includes a Link layer that is embedded within an ASIC, which preferably includes a microcontroller or a logic state machine, to facilitate asynchronous data transfer.

Abstract: A method of providing a number approximating a total number of ink drops fired by an imaging device, including the steps of incrementing a COUNT variable associated with a color of ink if an ink drop of that color is fired by a printhead in the imaging device, evaluating the value of the COUNT variable and incrementing a TOTAL INK CONSUMED variable associated with the color, dependent upon the evaluating step.

Abstract: A method of providing a number approximating a total number of ink drops fired by an imaging device, including the steps of incrementing a COUNT variable associated with a color of ink if an ink drop of that color is fired by a printhead in the imaging device, evaluating the value of the COUNT variable and incrementing a TOTAL INK CONSUMED variable associated with the color, dependent upon the evaluating step.

Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.

Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an image forming apparatus including a print engine operable in at least two modes, and an access control system connected to and controlling the print engine. The access control system includes an access control key for allowing selective and discriminate switching of the print engine from one of the at least two modes to an other of the at least two modes, such as from an economy mode to a high quality mode, or vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus and method controls and varies a spacing between multiple print elements, such as ink jet print orifices, in a printing system. A signal representing at least one of an advance speed of a print medium in a feed direction in the printing system and an approximate drying time of an ink after being applied to the print medium is supplied to a controller. A device, responsive to the controller, varies the spacing between at least two print elements on the basis of at least one of the advance speed of the print medium and the approximate drying time of the ink.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of printing on a print medium using an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes a printhead assembly having a plurality of ink emitting nozzles. Ink is jetted onto the print medium from the printhead assembly during a first mode of operation using a first available set of the nozzles. Ink is jetted onto the print medium from the printhead assembly during a second mode of operation using a second available set of the nozzles, dependent upon a physical operating parameter of the ink jet printer. The second available set of nozzles has a smaller number of the nozzles than the first available set of nozzles.