Abstract: Apparatus for embossing media, the apparatus including cutter apparatus to cut a shape in a surface layer of a multi-layer substrate to form a die. The apparatus also includes an embosser to emboss the media using the die. The cutter apparatus is arranged to provide the die to the embosser.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical density sensor comprising calculating a first pigment solid density value of an ink solution using a current first electrical output signal value from a photodetector, a current second electrical output signal value from a photodetector, and a current lens gap value, calculating a second pigment solid density value of the ink solution using a previously measured first electrical output signal value, a previously measured second electrical output signal value, and a previously measured lens gap value, comparing the current first electrical output signal value, the current second electrical output signal value, and the current lens gap value with the previously measured first electrical output signal value, the previously measure second electrical output signal value, and the previously measured lens gap value, and comparing the first pigment solid density value with the second pigment solid density value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to calculate the optical density of a fluid (110) traveling through a narrow gap (30) with a set width. Typically, a densitometer employs a light source (10) that is configured to transmit light across the gap and a detector, opposite the light source (10), configured to detect light transmitted from the light source, across the gap, for calculating the optical density of the fluid. The apparatus and method further include a transparent element (120), the transparent element part of a set of replaceable transparent elements, each replaceable transparent element having a particular width, the width less than the width of the gap. Typically, the transparent element is moved into the gap between the light source and the detector to narrow the effective sampling width of the gap for calculating the optical density of the fluid. In some examples, the transparent element is further configured to rotate in the gap to enhance the flow of the fluid through the gap.

Abstract: Apparatus for embossing media, the apparatus including cutter apparatus to cut a shape in a surface layer of a multi-layer substrate to form a die. The apparatus also includes an embosser to emboss the media using the die. The cutter apparatus is arranged to provide the die to the embosser.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus is to at least assist in determining the concentration of colorants within a carrier liquid. The colorants at least absorb light and/or diverge light. The detecting apparatus includes one or more light sources to emit light, and one or more light detectors to detect light. The light sources and the light detectors are positionally configured in relation to one another such that both light directly emitted by the light sources and that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants, as well as light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid, are detected and/or determined. The concentration of colorants is determined based on the light directly emitted by the light sources that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants and/or on the light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring an optical characteristic of a fluid. The device, typically a densitometer includes a set of optical elements that include a light source, a collimating lens, a focusing lens, and a receiver, wherein a gap exists between the collimating lens and the focusing lens so as to allow the fluid to pass in between the lenses, and wherein at least one of the optical elements is tilted with respect to an optical axis.

Abstract: A system and method to calculate a concentration of solids in a fluid, the system including a light source to generate a light signal of predefined characteristics, a an optical detector, placed opposite the light source across a gap between the light source and the detector through which the fluid may flow and a processor to identify the light signal in a detection signal generated by the optical detector, and to calculate the concentration of solids in the fluid based on the identified light signal as related to the generated light signal.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring an optical characteristic of a fluid. The device, typically a densitometer includes a set of optical elements that include a light source, a collimating lens, a focusing lens, and a receiver, wherein a gap exists between the collimating lens and the focusing lens so as to allow the fluid to pass in between the lenses, and wherein at least one of the optical elements is tilted with respect to an optical axis.

Abstract: A system and method for determining LEP ink conductivity are provided. A pair of electrodes is arranged to define a narrow gap there between. A non-conductive propeller rotates within the gap and causes liquid ink to flow over respective planar surfaces of the electrodes. The rotating propeller further prevents the accumulation of ink sludge on the planar surfaces of the electrodes within the gap. Electrical current is conducted between the electrodes. The electrical current is measured and the conductivity value of the ink determined there from.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical density sensor comprising calculating a first pigment solid density value of an ink solution using a current first electrical output signal value from a photodetector, a current second electrical output signal value from a photodetector, and a current lens gap value, calculating a second pigment solid density value of the ink solution using a previously measured first electrical output signal value, a previously measured second electrical output signal value, and a previously measured lens gap value, comparing the current first electrical output signal value, the current second electrical output signal value, and the current lens gap value with the previously measured first electrical output signal value, the previously measure second electrical output signal value, and the previously measured lens gap value, and comparing the first pigment solid density value with the second pigment solid density value.

Abstract: Hard image forming apparatuses and methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard image forming apparatus includes an imaging member comprising a surface, a development system configured to provide a marking agent to the surface of the imaging member to form developed images upon the surface of the imaging member which correspond to latent images formed using the surface of the imaging member, and a transfer system configured to transfer the developed images from the surface of the imaging member to media.

Abstract: A system and method for determining LEP ink conductivity are provided. A pair of electrodes is arranged to define a narrow gap there between. A non-conductive propeller rotates within the gap and causes liquid ink to flow over respective planar surfaces of the electrodes. The rotating propeller further prevents the accumulation of ink sludge on the planar surfaces of the electrodes within the gap. Electrical current is conducted between the electrodes. The electrical current is measured and the conductivity value of the ink determined there from.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus is to at least assist in determining the concentration of colorants within a carrier liquid. The colorants at least absorb light and/or diverge light. The detecting apparatus includes one or more light sources to emit light, and one or more light detectors to detect light. The light sources and the light detectors are positionally configured in relation to one another such that both light directly emitted by the light sources and that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants, as well as light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid, are detected and/or determined. The concentration of colorants is determined based on the light directly emitted by the light sources that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants and/or on the light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Hard image forming apparatuses and methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard image forming apparatus includes an imaging member comprising a surface, a development system configured to provide a marking agent to the surface of the imaging member to form developed images upon the surface of the imaging member which correspond to latent images formed using the surface of the imaging member, and a transfer system configured to transfer the developed images from the surface of the imaging member to media.

Abstract: A binary ink developer (BID) for a liquid electro-photography (LEP) printing device includes a sponge roller to absorb unused ink. The BID includes a squeezer roller to release the unused ink absorbed by the sponge roller for reuse. The squeezer roller releases the unused ink absorbed by the sponge roller by compressing the sponge roller. Compression of the sponge roller results in ink foam. The BID includes a mechanism having a wall, and a housing that together with the wall of the mechanism defines a passageway between the housing and the wall. The passageway is exposed externally to the BID. The BID includes one or more suction cavities defined within the wall of the mechanism through which the ink foam moves back from the passageway.

Abstract: A binary ink developer (BID) for a liquid electro-photography (LEP) printing device includes a sponge roller to absorb unused ink. The BID includes a squeezer roller to release the unused ink absorbed by the sponge roller for reuse. The squeezer roller releases the unused ink absorbed by the sponge roller by compressing the sponge roller. Compression of the sponge roller results in ink foam. The BID includes a mechanism having a wall, and a housing that together with the wall of the mechanism defines a passageway between the housing and the wall. The passageway is exposed externally to the BID. The BID includes one or more suction cavities defined within the wall of the mechanism through which the ink foam moves back from the passageway.

Abstract: A developer system component includes at least one surface configured to be driven so as to create fluid flow providing a shear force adjacent a cleaner.

Abstract: One embodiment of an imaging device includes an ink holder adapted for holding ink and an ink flow restriction device positioned within the ink holder, the ink flow restriction device including structure for defining a variable fluid resistance along a length of the ink flow restriction device.

Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus includes a foil that is adjacent to a portion of an ink developer electrode. The foil at least partially limits an accumulation of splashed ink along one or more portions of the ink developer electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment includes developing unit having a first developer roller and a second developer roller in contact with the first developer roller. The first developer roller is adapted to transfer developed liquid developer to the second developer roller, and the second developer roller is adapted to transfer the developed liquid developer to a photoconductor. An electrode is separated from the first developer roller by a gap. The gap is configured to receive undeveloped liquid developer from a reservoir remote from the developing unit so that the first developer roller does not pass through undeveloped liquid developer contained in a reservoir within the developing unit.