Abstract: An exemplary device implementation includes: a manager that is capable of monitoring a process for preparing a page for printing; and a print engine that is capable of printing the page after the process for preparing the page for printing is complete; wherein the device is adapted to temporally overlap the process for preparing the page for printing with preparation of the print engine for printing. An exemplary method implementation includes actions of: beginning processing of a page of a printing job; providing at least one command to a print engine responsive to at least one time remaining estimate for the processing of the page of the printing job prior to completion of the processing of the page of the printing job; and changing a state of the print engine responsive to the providing of the at least one command to the print engine.

Abstract: A printer or other color output device is configured to manage consumable wear. A wear level and a consumable use level of a color cartridge are evaluated. A color cartridge failure mechanism is projected to be either color cartridge wear-out or consumable exhaustion. Where color cartridge wear-out is projected, selection is made between faster printing and a reduced risk of color cartridge wear-out.

Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.

Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes making a first quantitative measurement, dispensing a number of media sheets from the stack, and making a second quantitative measurement, wherein the quantitative measurement can be, for example, the weight of the stack or the thickness of the stack. A ratio is calculated such that the ratio is equal to the number of sheets dispensed divided by the difference in the first and second quantitative measurements. The ratio can then be multiplied by the second quantitative measurement to establish an estimated number of media sheets remaining in the stack at the time the second quantitative measurement was made.

Abstract: An exemplary device implementation includes: a manager that is capable of monitoring a process for preparing a page for printing; and a print engine that is capable of printing the page after the process for preparing the page for printing is complete; wherein the device is adapted to temporally overlap the process for preparing the page for printing with preparation of the print engine for printing. An exemplary method implementation includes actions of: beginning processing of a page of a printing job; providing at least one command to a print engine responsive to at least one time remaining estimate for the processing of the page of the printing job prior to completion of the processing of the page of the printing job; and changing a state of the print engine responsive to the providing of the at least one command to the print engine.

Abstract: A printer or other color output device is configured to manage consumable wear. A wear level and a consumable use level of a color cartridge are evaluated. A color cartridge failure mechanism is projected to be either color cartridge wear-out or consumable exhaustion. Where color cartridge wear-out is projected, selection is made between faster printing and a reduced risk of color cartridge wear-out.

Abstract: A method for determining a warranty start date for a product has steps of determining a warranty start event and generating a warranty start date after occurrence of the warranty start event. The timestamp may be generated through a query to a time server on a network connected to the product. Preferred examples of warranty start events comprise first use by the user, and production of a specified cumulative quantity of product output. The warranty start event as well as the generated warranty start date are preferably stored on a memory internal to the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining media level in a cassette. A single, fixed media level sensor is located adjacent to where the media is fed from the cassette. The bottom of the cassette is moved up until the top piece of media triggers the fixed sensor. The number of steps of the stepper motor (or the time an analog motor is on) indicates the distance the bottom of the cassette must be raised before the top of the media stack hits the sensor. The number of steps is used directly to determine the height of the stack of media and, therefore, the level of media in the cassette.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining media level in a cassette. A single, fixed media level sensor is located adjacent to where the media is fed from the cassette. The bottom of the cassette is moved up until the top piece of media triggers the fixed sensor. The number of steps of the stepper motor (or the time an analog motor is on) indicates the distance the bottom of the cassette must be raised before the top of the media stack hits the sensor. The number of steps is used directly to determine the height of the stack of media and, therefore, the level of media in the cassette.