Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased in response to printing of pages by the image forming device, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased in response to printing of pages by the image forming device, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased by one for each page printed, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased by one for each page printed from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of when a replaceable unit of an image forming device will require replacement according to one example embodiment includes determining an average usage of the replaceable unit per day. Whether the replaceable unit is near the end of its life is also determined. After determining that the replaceable unit is near the end of its life, a number of days remaining until the replaceable unit will require replacement is displayed on a display screen of at least one of the image forming device and a device in electronic communication with the image forming device based on the determined average usage of the replaceable unit per day.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased by one for each page printed, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased by one for each page printed from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: A print system comprises a printer including a printer controller. One or more optional support devices are associated with the printer, wherein each optional support device includes a device controller. The system further includes a bi-directional serial communications path, including one or more trunklines, which provides serial electrical interconnection between the printer controller and each device controller of each optional support device of the system. The printer controller automatically assigns a unique device address to each optional support device. Each optional support device further includes logic circuitry which, based upon a command of the printer controller, enables passage of information generated by the printer controller through a first optional support device to a next electrically serially connected optional support device following an assignment of a first device address to the first optional support device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a speed of a print medium through a printer includes the step of providing a print medium transport assembly with a range of print medium transport speeds between a minimum print medium transport speed and a maximum print medium transport speed. A print engine is provided with a print engine speed. The range of print medium transport speeds is divided into subranges of print medium transport speeds. A requested speed is provided to the print medium transport assembly which corresponds to the print engine speed. For each subrange, an acceleration profile control equation, a constant speed control equation, and a deceleration profile control equation is determined. The constant speed control equation is dependent upon the requested speed. One of the subranges of print medium transport speeds is identified which encompasses the requested speed.

Abstract: An improved printer is provided which includes a print engine control program that minimizes the power consumption of the paper-handling devices to allow for a smaller DC power supply. Some of the paper-handling devices are input paper trays, output paper stackers, and a duplexer, which all preferably contain a microcontroller and an individual electric motor drive. The base printer also contains a microcontroller in the print engine that controls the printer's mechanisms and various subassemblies that are used in the laser electrophotographic printing process. To maintain control of the entire paper path, the print engine sends commands to the paper-handling devices, and these devices send responses to these commands. Most of the printer's paper-handling devices receive their electrical power entirely from the base printer, which is supplied as a DC voltage. The print engine avoids the concurrent running of subsystems in cases where the functionality of the printer is not compromised.

Abstract: A print system includes a printer having a printer controller. One or more optional support devices are associated with the printer, wherein each optional support device includes a device controller. The system further includes a bi-directional serial communications path, including one or more trunklines, which provides serial electrical interconnection between the printer controller and each device controller of each optional support device of the system. The printer controller automatically assigns a unique device address to each optional support device. Transmission error detection system and method are provided at the printer controller and/or each optional support device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a speed of a print medium through a printer includes the step of providing a print medium transport assembly with a range of print medium transport speeds between a minimum print medium transport speed and a maximum print medium transport speed. A print engine is provided with a print engine speed. The range of print medium transport speeds is divided into subranges of print medium transport speeds. A requested speed is provided to the print medium transport assembly which corresponds to the print engine speed. For each subrange, an acceleration profile control equation, a constant speed control equation, and a deceleration profile control equation is determined. The constant speed control equation is dependent upon the requested speed. One of the subranges of print medium transport speeds is identified which encompasses the requested speed.

Abstract: Sensor (41) is held between its arms (63) and nubs 60 in cover (31). A circuit board (57) on which the sensor is mounted remains outside of the cover, and panels (55) of the sensor (41) extend upward to prevent the circuit board (57) from collapsing leads (45, 53) which connect the sensor to the circuit board. Reliable operation is obtained without narrow tolerances.