Lexmark International, Inc.

Other

Daniel R Steinberg

Michael Craig Leemhuis

Jeffrey Alan Abler

David Anthony Schneider

Jichang Cao

John Parker Richey

Christopher Edward Rhoads

James Lee Combs

Niko Jay Murrell

Franklin Joseph Palumbo

Charles Alan Bast

Julie Ann Gordon Whitney

Ryan Thomas Bradley

A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including determining a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined temperature that is less than a fusing temperature for performing a fusing operation; calculating a set point heater resistance based on the determined heater resistance, the set point heater resistance being a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined set point temperature; reading a line voltage to the electrophotographic imaging device at a first time; calculating heater power based on the line voltage reading and the calculated set point heater resistance; and controlling a speed of a fusing operation based on the calculated heater power.

Power management and control for a fuser of an electrophotographic imaging device

A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including initiating reading line current and line voltage for a plurality of consecutive AC cycles; from the AC cycle readings, identifying heater on cycles in which power is applied to the fuser heater and heater off cycles in which power is not applied to the fuser heater; calculating heater power from the identified heater on cycles and the heater off cycles, the heater power being the power of the fuser heater during a predetermined heater on cycle of the consecutive AC cycles; calculating a fuser heater voltage of the fuser heater during the predetermined heater on cycle based on the voltage readings; calculating a resistance of the fuser heater based on the calculated heater power and the calculated fuser heater voltage; and controlling the fuser assembly based upon the calculated resistance of the fuser heater.

A method of determining a media class using an optical translucence sensor (OTS) in an imaging device. A media sheet for processing by a media processing device (MPD) in the imaging device passes through an OTS positioned on a media path prior to the MPD. The OTS has an output that is periodically sampled in several predefined interest zones to provide a plurality of intrinsic variables related to the media sheet. The intrinsic variables are combined with extrinsic variables to form a variables data set that is normalized then fed to a controller having a predefined set of media class determining equations for determining a media class for the media sheet. A media class determining equation is provided for each class of media expected to be used in the imaging device. The determined media class is then used to set one or more operating parameters for the media processing device.

Method of determining a media class in an imaging device using an optical translucence sensor

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted to the shaft. The paddle includes a magnet that has a magnetic field detectable by a magnetic sensor for detecting the motion of the paddle.

Replaceable unit for an image forming device having a toner agitator that includes a magnet for rotational sensing

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A drive element is exposed on an exterior of the housing unobstructed to receive rotational force. The drive element is operatively connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft upon receiving the rotational force. A sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the shaft. A processor is mounted on the housing and in electrical communication with the sensor. An electrical contact in electrical communication with the processor is exposed on the exterior of the housing unobstructed to mate with a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The processor is programmed to send information related to the rotational motion sensed by the sensor to a controller in the image forming device.

Rotational sensing for a replaceable unit of an image forming device

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft. A sensor is positioned on the housing outside of the reservoir and positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle when the shaft rotates. A processor is mounted on the housing and in electric communication with the sensor. An electrical contact is in electric communication with the processor and exposed on an exterior of the housing unobstructed to mate with a corresponding electrical contact when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device.

Replaceable unit for an image forming device having a sensor for sensing rotational motion of a paddle in a toner reservoir of the replaceable unit

A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle.

Systems and methods for measuring a particulate material

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. The paddle includes a magnetic element rotatable with the paddle and detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for detecting the motion of the paddle.

Replaceable unit for an image forming device having a falling paddle for toner level sensing

A gemstone setting is disclosed with rounded gemstones with outer faceted surfaces, each gemstone forming an outwardly contoured or convex gemstone configuration which is invisibly set in flush, surface to surface, mating relation within the setting. A section of a rounded gemstone is cut away, leaving a concave inset within and a curved concave inner surface on the gemstone. This concave configuration allows the partially cut away gemstone to mate in flush, surface to surface relation with the convex outer surface of the adjacent gemstone. Grooves within the side facets of the gemstone invisibly set the gemstones in position within supporting housings. The setting of gemstones in this fashion, employing surface to surface flush mating contact, can be used in infinite jewelry designs which employ rounded, curved edge, contoured or generally convex configured gemstones.

Rounded gemstone setting

Precious gemstone setting

A piece of jewelry, like a ring, bracelet, or necklace containing a center opening, consists of a main body section which takes the shape of the piece. This section has a channel extending around its side walls into which arms from covers are inserted. The covers overlay the main body section and slidably move over the main body section by means of the arms in the channels. In the preferred embodiment, two covers are provided on the main body section, although one or more than two covers are contemplated. The two covers slidably move in opposite directions on the main body section. The covers may have decorative ornamentation on their outer surfaces. When they are placed together and locked into position by a spring detent, the jewelry has one appearance. When the covers are together, they also conceal and protect the gem, inscription, or other decorative ornamentation on the top surface of the main body section. When the covers are moved apart, they expose the decorative ornamentation on the top surface of the piece of jewelry, presenting the piece with another appearance.

Growing community of inventors

Cherry Hill, NJ, United States of America

Daniel R Steinberg