Abstract: A method of retrieving data from any one of a plurality of data sources is disclosed. The data stored by each data source are arranged according to an associated data format. The method comprises: issuing a retrieval request for data stored on a designated one of the plurality of data sources to a control process; passing the retrieval request from the control process to the one a plurality of retrieval processes that is associated with the designated data source, said one of the retrieval processes retrieving the requested data from the designated data source and rearranging the retrieved data into a common output format, if it is not already in the common output format; and passing the data in the common output format to the control process.

Abstract: Peripheral devices that have their own power sources. In one embodiment, a peripheral device comprises a processing device, memory, and a power circuit configured to supply power to a peripheral device component, the power circuit including a power source.

Abstract: A method of retrieving data from any one of a plurality of data sources is disclosed. The data stored by each data source are arranged according to an associated data format. The method comprises: i) issuing a retrieval request for data stored on a designated one of the plurality of data sources to a control process; ii) passing the retrieval request from the control process to the one a plurality of retrieval processes that is associated with the designated data source, said one of the retrieval processes retrieving the requested data from the designated data source and rearranging the retrieved data into a common output format, if it is not already in the common output format; and iii) passing the data in the common output format to the control process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for halting a printer at a predetermined time to allow service personnel to open the printer and inspect the printing operation for evidence of faulty components and other problems. The printer includes a printing mechanism and a selector that is used for selecting a predetermined instant at which to halt the printer. A controller is coupled to the selector and to the printing mechanism. The controller operates to halt the printing operation at the selected predetermined instant. The instant can be measured in time, as an event that occurs in the printing process, or as a time relative to such an event. The instant can be selected from a list or selected at random by the operator. A sensing device within the printer can detect the determination of the occurrence of the printer operation event. The printing operation can be initiated in a conventional manner or the printing operation can be commenced automatically upon selection of the predetermined event.

Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention provides for monitoring a device for a disturbance so as to detect a disturbance, wherein the monitoring occurs while the device is in an inactive state. The method further includes taking a first set of actions if a disturbance is detected during the monitoring, and taking a second set of actions if a disturbance is not detected during the monitoring. The second set of actions decreases the consumption of consumables by the device as compared to the consumption of consumables which would have occurred if, instead, the first set of actions had been taken.

Abstract: Disclosed are peripheral devices that have their own power sources. In one embodiment, a peripheral device comprises a processing device, memory, and a power circuit configured to supply power to a peripheral device component, the power circuit including a power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cause of degradation in a product or device. A reference time is established and recorded, then a process or function of the device or product is enabled. As anomalous events occur, a user actuates an actuator that causes the recordation of an event time with respect to the reference time. Events may be repetitive or non-repetitive. At completion of the function, the recorded times are compared to a table of known product or device cycle function times, and a correlation is made to determine the most likely cycle function related to the events recorded. This information can then be correlated to parts previously known to operate at such times thereby providing a diagnostic tool useful in maintenance or repair of the device or product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for halting a printer at a predetermined time to allow service personnel to open the printer and inspect the printing operation for evidence of faulty components and other problems. The printer includes a printing mechanism and a selector that is used for selecting a predetermined instant at which to halt the printer. A controller is coupled to the selector and to the printing mechanism. The controller operates to halt the printing operation at the selected predetermined instant. The instant can be measured in time, as an event that occurs in the printing process, or as a time relative to such an event. The instant can be selected from a list or selected at random by the operator. A sensing device within the printer can detect the determination of the occurrence of the printer operation event. The printing operation can be initiated in a conventional manner or the printing operation can be commenced automatically upon selection of the predetermined event.

Abstract: A page reference system that facilitates identification of the locations of printing defects on a printed page includes a sheet of media with one or more reference points and, optionally, indicia printed thereon. The page reference system may be preprinted or printed along with another file. Accordingly, a page reference program that causes the page reference system to be printed onto a sheet is disclosed, as are systems that employ such a program. A method for using the page reference system includes printing a file onto a sheet of media onto which the page reference system is also printed, using the page reference system to identify the locations of one or more printing defects on the page, and diagnosing a printing device error responsible for each printing defect. The locations of one or more printing defects may be communicated to a product support representative, who then makes the diagnosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus save time, wear and tear, and consumables with a device, such as a printer, copier, facsimile, scanner or the like. The method monitors the device for a disturbance so as to detect the disturbance. The monitoring occurs while the device is in an inactive state (e.g., no power, low power or standby state). The method takes a first set of actions, if a disturbance has been detected during said monitoring, or a second set of actions, if a disturbance has not been detected during said monitoring. The second set of actions differs from the first set of actions. For example, the disturbance may be an opening of a door on the device. Optionally, the method also transitions the device from the inactive state to an active state. In one embodiment, the first set of actions comprises and the second set of actions lacks performing an initialization routine, such as an adaptive calibration routine. Optionally, the method may also store data regarding a detected disturbance.

Abstract: This present invention takes advantage of the understanding that the voltage rating associated with resistive heating element can be ignored over the common line voltage range, provided the power dissipation is controlled. This is accomplished by applying a fractional amount of power to a heating element from the power source. The method consists basically of determining, or estimating, a ratio of the amount to be applied to the amount of power available. A control signal is generated with a duty cycle approximately equal to that ratio. A zero crossing switch, under control of the control signal switches half cycles to the heating element. Thus, by applying a portion of the available half cycles to the heating element, the average power dissipation by the heating element can be controlled.