Audible or disconnectable indicator activated by trigger condition

Abstract

A cartridge includes a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, and a printing delivery method (e.g., rollers, augers, thermal delivery mechanism, etc.). The housing is insertable into an image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an indicator contained within the housing, wherein the indicator is to be audible in an activated status following a triggering condition.

Description

AUDIBLE OR DISCONNECTABLE INDICATOR ACTIVATED BY TRIGGERCONDITIONBACKGROUND

[0001] An image forming apparatus includes a print engine to form a printing image on a printing medium and a cartridge including cartridge components. The cartridge components include a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example image forming apparatus with an indication of remaining life of a cartridge component in a cartridge.

[0003] FIG. 2 is a side view and a front view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 1 including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge.

[0004] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 2 including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge in a first mode.

[0005] FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 2 including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge in a second mode.

[0006] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 with a side casing removed and including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge.

[0007] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are side views of the indicator and the contacting component shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a first direction.

[0008] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are side views of the indicator and the contacting component shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a second direction.

[0009] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are side views of the indicator and the contacting component shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a first direction.

[0010] FIG. 8D, and FIG. 8E are side views of the indicator and the contacting component shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a second direction.

[0011] FIG. 9 is perspective views of an indicator body including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in a cartridge.

[0012] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the indicator body shown in FIG. 9 in the second mode.

[0013] FIG. 10B, FIG. IOC, and FIG. 10D are side views of the indicator body shown in FIG.9 in the second mode.

[0014] FIG. 11 A and FIG. 1 IB are a cartridge including the indicator shown in FIG. 9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] An image forming apparatus can be used to form a printing image on a printing medium (e.g., paper). The image forming apparatus may include a print engine to form a printing image on the printing medium, a cartridge to include printing material, and a controller (or a processor) operatively connected to the cartridge and the print engine to perform image forming jobs. The cartridge includes a plurality of cartridge components (e.g., printing material, developer, photoconductor, printing material delivery components such as rollers, augers, thermal delivery mechanism, etc.). The cartridge can be a replaceable component that supplies printing material (e.g., toner, ink, etc.) to the print engine. The image forming apparatus may include multiple printing material cartridges. For example, a color image forming apparatus may include a cartridge for each color printing material.

[0016] The cartridge may include a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material. For example, the reservoir can contain such printing material as toner, ink, etc. The housing can be insertable into an image forming apparatus and may include various cartridge components. The cartridge may include various rotating components to perform image forming jobs. For example, the cartridge may include a developing roller rotating to carry the printing material to a photoreceptor. The printing material moves to an electrostatic latent image formed on a peripheral surface of the photoreceptor, to develop the electrostatic latent image. As such, performing image forming jobs consumes printing material (e.g., toner, ink, etc.) and reduces remaining life of various cartridge components (e.g., developer, photoconductor, printing material delivery components such as rollers, augers, thermal delivery mechanism, etc.). Various rotating components including those discussed above may be used to control an indication for remaining life of the cartridge.

[0017] A cartridge may include an eTag to track remaining life of cartridge components. The eTag may be a memory device or element to store data associated with the cartridge remaining life of various cartridge components, or warranty information thereof. In response to a determination that remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge reaches a certain level, a processor of the cartridge (or image forming apparatus) can send an indication to the eTag (e.g., as data stored / recorded in the eTag). A user can confirm the indication in the eTagby placing the cartridge in a compatible device / interface or an image forming apparatus (e.g., control panel, Supplies Status page, embedded web server, etc.). However, there is need to check remaining life (e.g., usable life) of a cartridge or an indication thereof more efficiently and without requiring an additional interface.

[0018] This disclosure provides a simplified and cost-efficient solution compatible with various printing supplies and hardware to check an indication for remaining life of a cartridge. The disclosure allows a user to check an indication for remaining life of a cartridge without weighing and seeing how much printing material has been used and / or without placing the cartridge in a compatible device to read the eTag, thereby making the process less approximate and less time consuming while not requiring any additional hardware / interface.

[0019] Disclosed herein are an image forming apparatus and a cartridge having an indicator providing an indication of remaining life of a cartridge itself or components in the cartridge, and in particular, providing an indication of remaining life of a cartridge component associated with a certain event. For example, such an event may be an end of useful life of the cartridge where the printing material in the cartridge has reached a certain level (e.g., 80 % of the printing material has been consumed). As another example, such an event may be any of cartridge components (e.g., developer, photoconductor, developer roller, etc.) in a cartridge has reached a certain amount of wear and tear, indicating an end of useful life of that particular component. Thus, the remaining life of a cartridge may be based on a remaining amount of printing material within the cartridge or an end of useful life of a cartridge component. For example, the remaining life of a cartridge may be defined by the lowest remaining life of various cartridge components.

[0020] The cartridge disclosed herein and an imaging forming apparatus including the same may be to drive a rotating component of the cartridge, for example through a shaft or across a coupling using a Power Take off (PTO). The cartridge disclosed herein and the imaging forming apparatus including the same may be to drive the rotating component forward and / or backward. The cartridge disclosed herein and the imaging forming apparatus including the same may include a memory device and business rule directions to trigger an indication for remaining life of a cartridge. The cartridge disclosed herein and the imaging forming apparatus including the same may include an indicator that can be activated when remaining life of a cartridge component (e.g., the cartridge component with the lowest remaining life) has reached a certain point.

[0021] The image forming apparatus may include a cartridge. The cartridge may include a component to rotate in one direction (e.g., clockwise) when printing, and to rotate in anotherdirection (e.g., counterclockwise) during a service operation. The cartridge may include a human detectable feature that indicates remaining life of a cartridge component has been reached a certain point. In some examples, the human detectable feature may be an irreversible feature.

[0022] The cartridge may include a memory element that can be written to / from by the device discussed above (e.g., image forming devices, components of an image forming device, etc.).

[0023] FIG. l is a schematic diagram of an example image forming apparatus 111 with an indication of remaining life of a cartridge component in a cartridge. The image forming apparatus 111 includes a cartridge 113, a processor 121, a print engine 125, a memory device 128, and a housing 129 of the cartridge 113. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113. The life cycle 101 indicates remaining life of a cartridge component within the cartridge 113. For example, the life cycle 101 may be a remaining life of the cartridge component with the lowest remaining life such that the life cycle 101 can indicate the remaining life of the cartridge. For example, when remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 is a first level or when the cartridge is newly installed, the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 may be at “New.” As the image forming apparatus 111 performs a certain number of image forming jobs, the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 may be at “Low.” For example, when the image forming apparatus 111 has performed image forming jobs for a first number of image forming jobs and / or for a first amount of printing material, the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 may be at “Low” indicating that the remaining life of a cartridge component within the cartridge is at a second level that is less than the first level by a first predetermined threshold. As the image forming apparatus 111 continues performing image forming jobs, the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 may be at “Triggering condition” indicating that the remaining life of a cartridge component is at a third level that is less than the second level by a second predetermined threshold. As even more image forming jobs are performed, the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 may be at “Very Low” indicating a fourth level that is less than the third level by a third predetermined threshold. When the level of the cartridge 113 is at the third level or the fourth level, for example, the cartridge may be desired to be replaced with a new cartridge. When the life cycle 101 of the cartridge 113 is at, for example, “New” or “Low” (e.g., before reaching “Triggering condition”) the cartridge 113 or the image forming apparatus may be under an imaging condition.

[0024] The cartridge 113 can operate in different modes responsive to conditions (e.g., imaging condition, triggering condition) of the cartridge 113. A “first mode” or “normal mode” may indicate an operation of the cartridge 113 when the cartridge 113 is within a warrantyperiod and when the remaining life of a cartridge component within the cartridge is at a level at which the quality of printing can be guaranteed for suitable or optimal printing. A “second mode” or “marking mode” may indicate an operation of the cartridge when the warranty period is expired and / or when the remaining life of a cartridge component within the cartridge is at a level that is less than a predetermined level at which the printing quality cannot be guaranteed. For example, when the printing material within the cartridge is running out (e.g., a level is less than a specific threshold) or any of cartridge components (e.g., developer, photoconductor, printing material delivery components such as rollers, augers, thermal delivery mechanism, etc.) is reaching a certain point of life of the component, the second mode can be activated to indicate that the time for replacing the cartridge is nearing. For example, when the warranty period is expired, the second mode can be activated to indicate that the warranty is expired. In this case, remaining life of a cartridge component within the cartridge may or may not be at a level corresponding to the triggering condition. The image forming apparatus 111 may indicate the “first mode” and the “second mode” by virtue of changing the direction of rotation of certain components, as described below. For example, in the “first mode,” the certain components may rotate in a first direction and may rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the “second mode.”

[0025] The image forming apparatus 111 may include the print engine 125 to perform image forming jobs (e.g., forming a printing image on a printing medium such as papers) by operatively connecting to the cartridge 113, the processor 121, and the memory device 128. The cartridge 113 may be a replaceable component that includes various cartridge components to perform image forming jobs and supplies printing material (e.g., toner, ink, etc.) to the print engine 125. The print engine 125 can be controlled by the processor 121 to perform image forming jobs.

[0026] The cartridge 113 may include a rotating component 115. The rotating component 115 may include or be connected to a rotating shaft in a gear train that can be rotated clockwise and / or counterclockwise (e.g., forward and backward). For example, the rotating component 115 may be a shaft for a developing roller or any rotating component in a powertrain of the cartridge 113 or the image forming apparatus 111. The rotating component 115 may be any gear in a gear train that can be rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise, forward) and in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise, backward). For example, the rotating component 115 may be a gear for a developing roller.

[0027] The cartridge 113 may include or be controlled by the processor 121 to change the rotation of the rotating component 115 from the first direction to the second direction, inresponse to a determination that remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge corresponds to the triggering condition. For example, the rotation of the rotating component 115 in the first direction (e.g., in the first mode) indicates the imaging condition, and the rotation of the rotating component 115 in the second direction (e.g., in the second mode) indicates a certain point of remaining life of a cartridge component, the certain point corresponding to the triggering condition. When the processor 121 receives or detects an indication that remaining life of a cartridge component is at a point corresponding to the triggering condition, the processor 121 then can control rotation of the rotating component 115 to change the direction of the rotation of the rotating component 115 (e.g., changing an operation mode from the first mode to the second mode). For example, the processor 121 can reverse the rotation of the rotating component 115 (e.g., from clockwise rotation to counterclockwise rotation).

[0028] The processor 121 can control rotation of the rotating component 115 responsive to the triggering condition. The processor 121 can receive / read a value in a memory device / element (e.g., eTag), where remaining life of various cartridge components can be tracked / recorded. The value may be an indication indicating that remaining life of a cartridge component has reached a point corresponding to the triggering condition. For example, the image forming apparatus 111 or the cartridge 113 may include a sensor / detector to determine remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 (e.g., determining a level of printing material by determining pixel / dot, pixel / gram, fill mass, etc. or by directly detecting a level of the printing material), and the processor 121 can receive a reading of the sensor / detector. When the processor 121 receives an indication from the sensor / detector indicating that remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 has reached a point corresponding to the triggering condition, the processor 121 can control rotation of the rotating component 115 of the cartridge 113. The processor 121 can control the rotating component 115 to change a direction of the rotation of the rotating component 115, thereby initiating an indicator to indicate the remaining life of a cartridge component (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge) and / or the triggering condition. For example, the rotating component 115 may rotate clockwise until remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 reaches the triggering condition of the life cycle 101. When the remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 reaches the triggering condition of the life cycle 101, the processor 121 can reverse the rotation of the rotating component 115, and the reversal of the rotation can initiate the indicator to indicate the remaining life of a cartridge component and / or the triggering condition. The indication of the remaining life of a cartridge componentand / or the triggering condition may be visual and / or audible, for example using a mechanical method.

[0029] Although described as “a” processor, the processor 121 may be a plurality of processors to perform separate operations described above. For example, the image forming apparatus 111 may include a plurality of processors. A first processor can receive an indication indicating that remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 113 has reached a point corresponding to the triggering condition. When the first processor sends a signal to a second processor, then the second processor can control rotation of the rotating component 115 of the cartridge 113.

[0030] The indication of remaining life of a cartridge component and / or the triggering condition will be described in greater detail below in accordance with various examples.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view 200S and a front view 200F of a portion of a cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 113) including an example indicator 210 (hereinafter referred to as an indicator 210) indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in a cartridge. As discussed in greater detail below, the indicator 210 is to be audible in an activated status following the triggering condition. The cartridge includes a shaft 215. At least a portion of the shaft 215 is contained within the housing. The shaft 215 is to be rotated in a first direction under the first mode and in a second direction under the second mode.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge may include the shaft 215, the indicator 210 mounted to the shaft 215, and a retention chamber 205. The retention chamber 205 may be disposed inside the housing of the cartridge such that the retention chamber 205 contains at least a portion of the shaft 215 and the indicator 210. The indicator 210 remains mounted to the shaft 215 during rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction (e.g., clockwise direction in the front view 200F). The indicator 210 demounts from the shaft 215 into the retention chamber 205 during rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise direction in the front view 200F), the second direction opposite the first direction. The indicator 210 can be audible in the retention chamber 205 indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge) in the cartridge, for example, in response to shaking (or otherwise rapid moving) of the cartridge.

[0033] The shaft 215 includes a first set of threads 215T, and the indicator 210 includes a second set of threads 210T. The first set of threads 215T are to engage with the second set of threads 210T during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction to allow the indicator 210 to demount from the shaft 215. The shaft 215 may be any rotating component in the cartridge that can provide a rotational force. In some examples, the first set of threads 215Tand the second set of threads 210T may be acme threads. The first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T are formed such that the rotation of shaft 215 in the first direction prevents the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T from being engaged and such that the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction allows the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T to engage with each other. During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction, the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T do not engage with each other, so that the indicator 210 can remain mounted to the shaft 215. When the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other in response to the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction, the indicator 210 moves along a longitudinal direction (z-axis) of the shaft 215 and can demount from the shaft 215 into the retention chamber 205 at an end of the shaft 215E. That is, the indicator 210 un-threads through the shaft 215, and screws off the shaft 215. The indicator 210 in the retention chamber 205 can be audible indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge) in the cartridge. For example, the indicator 210 can generate a rattling sound in the retention chamber 205.

[0034] The rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction does not allow the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T to engage with each other, rather may generate a “thread bounce,” which is a relative motion between the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T. The first set of threads 215T of the shaft 215 counter-rotates with respect to the second set of threads 210T. The first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T, rather than engage with each other, bounce against each other per a revolution, and the leads of the thread reset and restart a new rotation cycle over. When the rotation of the shaft 215 is in the second direction, the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other, rather than bounce. The thread bounce may be a function of the geometry of the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T and how they interact. Although depicted herein, in some examples, the thread bounce may not be present depending on pitch and the number of thread leads. For example, the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction may not allow the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T to engage with each other, while not generating the thread bounce either. During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction, the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other, and the indicator 210 moves along a longitudinal direction (z-axis) of the shaft 215 and can demount from the shaft 215 into the retention chamber 205 at an end of the shaft 215E.

[0035] The cartridge includes an urging member 220 to urge the indicator 210 along thelongitudinal axis (z-axis) of the shaft 215 and engage the indicator 210 with the shaft 215 (e.g., the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other) during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction. The urging member 220 may be a spring, or any mechanical component to exert a force against the indicator 210. During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction, the urging member 220 exerts the force against the indicator 210 such that the “thread bounce” between the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T occurs. During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction, the urging member 220 exerts the force against the indicator 210 such that the second set of threads 210T of the indicator 210 can engage with the first set of threads 215T of the shaft 215. In some examples, the urging member 220 may be fixed to the shaft 215 through friction or another force, so it does not fall off with the indicator 210.

[0036] The shaft 215 may include a seal flange portion 215S. The seal flange portion 215S is to connect the shaft 215 to the retention chamber 205 while allowing for the rotation of the shaft 215.

[0037] In the activated status, the retention chamber 205 contains the indicator 210 that has demounted from the shaft 215. The retention chamber 205 is an enclosed space or a cavity into which the indicator 210 is to fall. The retention chamber 205 may fully or partially enclose at least a portion of the shaft 215 and the indicator 210. The indicator 210 in the activated status can be audible in the retention chamber 205. For example, the indicator 210 in the retention chamber 205 can rattle and can be audible (e.g., rattling sound). At least a portion of the retention chamber 205 includes a rigid boundary such that the rattling of the indicator 210 can generate audible sound. The retention chamber 205 may be sized to prevent a subsequent binding of the indicator 210 with the first set of threads 215T and / or the shaft 215. In some examples, the indicator 210 in the activated status may be visible from outside of the cartridge.

[0038] In some examples, the indicator 210 may be a nut having threads (e.g., the second set of threads 210T) on a surface facing the shaft 215. In some examples, an inner portion of the indicator 210 may be a compliant material that would self-tap to form threads during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction.

[0039] The indicator 210 may include a keying member 225 that allows the indicator 210 to rotate relative to the shaft 215. The keying member 225 may be coupled with a fixing portion 230 of the retention chamber 205. The coupling between the keying member 225 and the fixing portion 230 is to allow the shaft 215 to rotate relative to the indicator 210 by for example, holding or otherwise fixing a portion (e.g., the keying member 225) of the indicator210. The coupling is to prevent a rotational displacement of the indicator 210 while allowing for a translational movement of the indicator 210 (e.g., z-axis movement). The coupling can prevent the indicator 210 from rotating together with the shaft 215 while engaged (e.g., no screwing motion or relative rotation between the shaft 215 and the indicator 210) during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction.

[0040] The shaft 215 of the cartridge may include a threaded portion (e.g., first set of threads 215T) and a non-threaded portion. The threaded portion and at least a portion of the nontreaded portion may be within the retention chamber 205 such that the indicator 210 can demount into the retention chamber 205.

[0041] Detailed description for the shaft 215, the indicator 210, and operations of thereof in response to the rotation directions of the shaft 215 will be provided with respect to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 2 including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge in the first mode. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows the side view 200S of the portion of the cartridge during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction and includes an example first direction 305 of the shaft 215 and a motion 350 of the indicator 210. The shaft 215 is to rotate in the first direction 305, when the cartridge is in the first mode. The example first direction 305 of the shaft 215 may be clockwise, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the first rotation direction of the shaft 215 may be counterclockwise.

[0043] During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction 305, the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T do not engage with each other, so that the indicator 210 can remain mounted to the shaft 215.

[0044] The urging member 220 allows the indicator 210 to generate a relative motion on the leads of the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T by exerting a force 220F against the indicator 210. By the force 220F, the indicator 210 moves along the z-axis (+z) during the rotation of the shaft 215 in the first direction 305. Because the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T do not engage with each other, the indicator 210 bounces back (“thread bounce”) along the z-axis (-z) (e.g., the motion 350) when a new rotation cycle begins. That is, the first direction 305 is a counter-thread rotation direction (the first set of threads 215T of the shaft 215 counter-rotates with respect to the second set of threads 210T), and the indicator 210 moves in and out without engaging with the shaft 215 as the shaft 215 rotates in the first direction 305. The first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T bounce against each other per a revolution, and the leads of the threadreset and restart a new rotation cycle over. In some examples, multiple leads may be used in the indicator 210 and / or the shaft 215 to minimize translation and / or reduce the thread bounce.

[0045] The relative translation motion may be attenuated to prevent Print Quality issues. The thread bounce may generate a bounce sound made as the leads of first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T slip off each other and start the rotation / translation cycle over again. The bounce sound (e.g., a small click sound) may be detected / used by a smart device. The smart device may detect an audible indication (e.g., the bounce sound, etc.) and perform various operations (e.g., analysis, prediction, alarm, etc.) responsive to the detection. In some examples, the smart device may be or include an acoustics analysis system to understand and estimate remaining life of a cartridge component based on the indication and / or the various operations. For example, the smart device may be a device equipped in a cartridge or image forming apparatus to provide Smart Device Services (SDS). In some examples, the smart device can understand the remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge compared to what the eTag records say to prevent fraud. In some examples, the bounce sound may be inaudible. In some examples, the bounce sound may be audible, and when an SDS device detects a bounce sound or an indication of the bounce, the SDS device can predict a service event and / or generate an alarm associated with the detection.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 2 including an example indicator indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge in the second mode. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows the side view 200S of the portion of the cartridge during the rotation of the shaft 215 in a second direction 405 and motion 450A and 450B of the indicator 210.

[0047] The shaft 215 is to rotate in the second direction 405, when the cartridge (e.g., cartridge) is in the second mode. The second direction 405 of the rotation of the shaft 215 is opposite to the first direction 305 of the rotation of the shaft 215. The second direction 405 may be counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 4. In some examples, the second direction 405 of the shaft 215 may be clockwise, for example when the first rotation direction of the shaft 215 is counterclockwise.

[0048] The cartridge may include or be controlled by a processor (e.g., the processor 121) to change the rotation of the shaft 215 from the first direction 305 to the second direction 405, in response to a determination of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge. For example, the shaft 215 can rotate in the first direction 305 (e.g., under the first mode) when the cartridge is in the imaging condition. For example, the shaft 215 can rotate in the second direction 405 (e.g., under the second mode) when remaining life of a cartridge componentcorresponds to the triggering condition. When the processor receives an indication of the remaining life of a cartridge component corresponding to the triggering condition, the processor can control rotation of the shaft 215 to change the direction of the rotation of the shaft 215. For example, the processor can reverse the rotation of the shaft 215 (e.g., from clockwise rotation to counterclockwise rotation) thereby changing an operation mode (e.g., from the first mode to the second mode).

[0049] During the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction 405 (e.g., under the second mode), the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other. When remaining life of a cartridge component corresponding to the triggering condition is detected, a processor and / or a print engine can reverse the direction of the rotation of the shaft 215, thereby allowing the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T to engage with each other. The urging member 220 (e.g., a spring) can exert the force 220F against the indicator 210 so the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T are in contact and can engage with each other.

[0050] After the first set of threads 215T and the second set of threads 210T engage with each other in response to the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction 405, the rotation of the shaft 215 in the second direction 405 allows the indicator 210 to move along a longitudinal direction of the shaft 215 (motion 450A; e.g., +z-axis direction) through the end of shaft 215E, and can demount from the shaft 215 into the retention chamber 205 at the end of the shaft 215E (motion 450B), thereby activating the indicator 210. That is, the indicator 210 unscrews (or un-threads otherwise) through the shaft 215 (e.g., the motion 450A), until screwing off the shaft 215 at the end of the shaft 215E (e.g., the motion 450B). Since the rotation direction of the shaft 215 can be changed in response to remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge, the indicator 210 in the retention chamber 205 can be audible indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge). For example, the indicator 210 can rattle responsive to shaking (or otherwise rapid moving) of the cartridge, and the rattling of the indicator 210 can be an audible indication. The sound of the indicator 210 can be obvious to the person handling the cartridge. In some examples, the indicator 210 in the retention chamber 205 and / or absence of the indicator 210 on the shaft 215 may be visual, visible through, for example, a window or feature through which the person handling the cartridge can see. The cartridge can continue to print normally after the indicator 210 has been driven off the shaft 215 (e.g., after the triggering condition has passed and / or under the second mode). A smart device (e.g., SDS) no longer detects the bounce sound (e.g., a small click sound) of the thread leads slipping andresetting on each other because the indicator piece has demounted. It is to be noted that the size, shape, dimension, and / or material of the indicator 210 may vary according to various examples. In some examples, the indicator 210 in the retention chamber 205 and / or absence of the indicator 210 on the shaft 215 may be a tactile indication. For example, when the indicator 210 is in the retention chamber 205, the feel of a loose indicator 210 can be obvious to the person handling the cartridge.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge 500) of FIG. 1 including an example indicator 510 (hereinafter referred to as an indicator 510) indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge). The cartridge 500 includes a housing 501 having a reservoir (not shown) to contain printing material. The indicator 510 may be contained within the housing 501 and to be deformed in an activated status following the second mode and / or a detection of the triggering condition. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 501 may include a contacting component 515 to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction. The indicator 510 includes a first portion 510a and a second portion 510b. The first portion 510a of the indicator 510 may be attached to the housing 501 of the cartridge 500 (e.g., inside portion of the housing 501). The second portion 510b may be a cantilevered portion that is protruded from the first portion 510a. The second portion 510b extends at an angle from the first portion 510a. At least a portion of the second portion 510b is within the retention chamber 505 and is to contact the contacting component 515. When the contacting component 515 rotates (e.g., in the first direction), the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 is to deflect. At least a portion of the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 (e.g., a portion of the indicator 510 or the entire portion of the indicator 510) is to break off into the retention chamber 505 during rotation of the contacting component 515 in the second direction. The broken portion of the indicator 510 (e.g., a portion of the indicator 510 or the entire portion of the indicator 510) is to be audible indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500. The indicator 510 may be molded into the interior of the housing 501 of the cartridge 500.

[0052] The contacting component 515 may be, but not limited to, any gear in a gear train of the housing 501 or may be a gear that is added or connected to the gear train, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the contacting component 515 may be a gear for or connected to a developing roller. For example, the contacting component 515 may be disposed so as to engage with, for example, a gear for a developing roller. The contacting component 515 may include a plurality of teeth 515T to contact the indicator 510 as the contacting component 515rotates. At least a portion of the tooth that is contacting the second portion 510b is within the retention chamber 505. In some examples, the contacting component 515, although illustrated as a gear and depicted so in FIG. 5, may be any rotating component that includes a portion to contact the second portion 510b.

[0053] The cartridge 500 may include a shaft (not shown) contained within the housing 501. The shaft is connected to the contacting component 515 or another component that engages with the contacting component 515. The shaft is to be rotated in a first direction under the first mode (e.g., during the imaging condition described with respect to FIG. 1) and in a second direction under the second mode (e.g., responsive to a detection of the triggering condition described with respect to FIG. 1). The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The activated status of the indicator 510 may be activated in response to a detection of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 by reversing the rotation of the shaft (e.g., from the first direction to the second direction). When the indicator 510 is in the activated status, the indicator 510 is to be audible or visible. For example, in the activated status, the indicator 510 can be audible in response to shaking (or otherwise rapid moving) of the cartridge 500. For example, in the activated status, the indicator 510 can be visible from outside of the housing 501.

[0054] The cartridge 500 may include or be controlled to change the rotation of the contacting component 515 from the first direction to the second direction, in response to a determination of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500. The contacting component 515 may rotate in the first direction (e.g., clockwise) under the first mode, during the imaging condition of the cartridge 500. The contacting component 515 may then rotate in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise), opposite to the first direction, under the second mode in response to a detection of remaining life of a cartridge component corresponding to the triggering condition.

[0055] The retention chamber 505 is a portion disposed inside the housing 501 to enclose at least a portion of the indicator 510. As discussed in greater detail below, the retention chamber 505 or the contacting component housing of the housing 501 can hold a broken piece of the indicator 510 and provide a chamber in which the broken piece can rattle. In some examples, the retention chamber 505 may be a cavity formed inside the housing 501 of the cartridge 500.

[0056] The contacting component 515 is to rotate responsive to the rotation of the shaft and to contact the indicator 510 during rotation. The indicator 510 is to deflect during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction, and the contacting component 515 is to break off at least aportion of the indicator 510 (e.g., a portion of the indicator 510 or the entire portion of the indicator 510) during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction. FIG. 6 A and FIG. 6B show side views of the indicator 510 and the contacting component 515 shown in FIG. 5 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction. Under the first mode, the contacting component 515 may rotate in the first direction 605 (e.g., clockwise). The rotation of the contacting component 515 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605 can deflect the second portion 510b of the indicator 510. For example, when the teeth of the contacting component 515 does not contact the second portion 510b of the indicator 510, the angle between the first portion 510a and the second portion 510b (as shown in FIG. 6 A) may be a first angle 01. When one of the teeth of the contacting component 515 does contact with the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605, as shown in FIG. 6B, the one of the teeth of the contacting component 515 pushes the second portion 510b of the indicator 510, thereby deflecting the second portion 510b and to form a second angle 02 between the second portion 510b and the first portion 510a (as shown in FIG. 6B). When the one of the teeth of the contacting component 515 that contacts the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 passes through the second portion 510b of the indicator after the contacting and before the next tooth contacts the second portion 510b, the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 can recover back to the original position (e.g., where the angle between the first portion 510a and the second portion 510b is the first angle 01). Since there may be a plurality of teeth on the contacting component 515, the second portion 510b may vibrate between the first angle 01 and the second angle 02 (e.g., deflecting as shown in FIG. 6B and recover as shown in FIG. 6A), during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605. The vibration may generate an audible sound as discussed in greater detail below. In some examples, the housing 501 may include an idle gear in any part of the gear train in the cartridge to dampen impact of the deflection on a main shaft to prevent introduction of shock (or the impact) into other parts of the cartridge 500.

[0057] FIG. 7 A and FIG. 7B show side views of the indicator 510 and the contacting component 515 shown in FIG. 5 during the rotation of the shaft in a second direction. When remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 corresponding to the triggering condition is detected, rotation of the contacting component 515 can be reversed responsive to reversal of rotation of the shaft (e.g., from the first direction 605 to the second direction 705). For example, the rotation of the contacting component 515 may be reversed responsive to a detection of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 corresponding to thetriggering condition by reversing the rotation of the shaft. When the rotation of the contacting component 515 is reversed, at least one of the teeth on the contacting component 515 can catch the second portion 510b of the indicator 510, as shown in FIG. 7 A. Further rotation of the contacting component 515 breaks off at least a portion of the second portion 510b (e.g., a broken portion 710) of the indicator 510 as shown in FIG. 7B. When the broken portion 710 is broken off from the indicator 510, the break-off may be audible.

[0058] The broken portion 710 can be contained within the retention chamber 505 or a contacting component housing. That is, the retention chamber 505 or the contacting component housing is to contain at least a portion of the indicator 510 that breaks off. The broken portion 710 of the indicator 510 is to be audible or visible. For example, the broken portion 710 can be audible (e.g., by rattling) responsive to shaking (or otherwise rapid moving) of the cartridge 500, indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge). For example, the broken portion 710 and / or the indicator 510 whose portion has been broken off (e.g., the broken portion 710) may be visible from outside of the housing 501.

[0059] The retention chamber 505 can hold the broken portion 710 and isolate the broken portion 710 from the rest of the gear train to prevent the broken portion 710 from damaging gears or other parts of the cartridge 500.

[0060] FIG. 8 A, FIG. 8B, and FIG 8C are side views of the indicator 510 and the contacting component 515 shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a first direction. FIG 8D, and FIG 8E are side views of the indicator 510 and the contacting component 515 shown in FIG. 5 during rotation of a shaft in a second direction.

[0061] When the second portion 510b contacts with the teeth of the contacting component 515 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605, the contact may generate an audible indication 810. The second portion 510b of the indicator 510 can vibrate as each tooth of the contacting component 515 passes by and releases the second portion 510b of the indicator 510. In some examples, the indicator 510 can vibrate at a predetermined frequency during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605 as the indicator 510 deflects by rotation of the contacting component 515 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605. The predetermined frequency can provide the audible indication 810 indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 (and thus the remaining life of the cartridge). The vibrational frequency of the audible indication 810 may be pre-determined based at least in part on a physical property (e.g., material, dimension, movement, etc.) of the teeth of the contacting component 515 and the indicator 510. In some examples, the housing501 may include an electrical component (e.g., SDS, acoustics analysis system / device, or a smart device including the SDS, acoustics analysis system / device, etc.) to measure the predetermined frequency (or otherwise the indication 810) or presence / absence thereof by monitoring vibration of the indicator 510 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605 and in the second direction 705. For example, when the electrical component detects the audible indication 810, the electrical component may determine that the remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 has not reached a point corresponding to the triggering condition. For example, when the electrical component does not detect the audible indication 810, the electrical component may determine that the remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge 500 has reached a point corresponding to the triggering condition. In some examples, the electrical component may determine whether the cartridge 500 is a fraud product when the electrical component does not detect the audible indication 810 during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 605 or detects an indication that does not correspond to the predetermined frequency.

[0062] In some examples, the audible indication 810 may be inaudible to a user. For example, the contacting component 515 and / or the second portion 510b of the indicator 510 may be designed such that the volume or frequency of the audible indication 810 is not detectable by the human ear.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8B and 8C, at least one of a thickness of the indicator 510 (e.g., the second portion 510b), a length of the indicator 510 (e.g., the second portion 510b), or a distance between at least two teeth of the contacting component 515 is varied to vary the predetermined frequency. The indicator 510 may be designed based on a natural frequency ( / n) of the second portion 510B (e.g., the frequency of the vibration of the second portion 510B):

[0065] where Knis a constant for the mode of vibration, w is the width ofthe second portion 510B, I is the length of the second portion 510B, E is the Young’s Modulus of the second portion 510B, I is the moment of inertia of the second portion 510B, and g is the gravitational constant. Any of these variables may be varied to design the indicator 510 and / or the contacting component 515, thereby varying the predetermined frequency of the audible indication 810. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C, the thickness of the second portion 510b may vary to generate a different frequency. For example, in FIG. 8B the audible indication 810 of the indicator 510 with a thicker second portion 510b may be at a firstfrequency, while in FIG. 8C the audible indication 810 of the indicator 510 with a thinner second portion 510b may be at a second frequency. The audible indication 810 may be specific to the contacting component 515, the indicator 510, and / or the cartridge 500, thereby acting as a vibration signature to identify the contacting component 515, the indicator 510, and / or the cartridge 500. The identification of the contacting component 515, the indicator 510, and / or the cartridge 500 may be used to determine whether the cartridge 500 and / or any components thereof is a fraud product.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 8D and 8E, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the reversal of the rotation of the shaft in any of the cartridge 500 described with respect to FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C can break off at least a portion (e.g., the broken portion 710) of the indicator 510.

[0067] FIG. 9 shows perspective views of an indicator body 905 including an example indicator 910 (hereinafter referred to as an indicator 910) indicative of remaining life of a cartridge component in a cartridge. The cartridge may include the indicator body 905 to indicate remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge corresponding to the triggering condition (and thus to indicate the remaining life of the cartridge). The indicator body 905 includes a first rotational body 905a and a second rotational body 905b. The first rotational body 905a includes the indicator 910 to be deformed in an activated status under the second mode responsive to a detection of the triggering condition. The first rotational body 905a and the second rotational body 905b share a rotation axis 950, and the first rotational body 905a is disposed inside of the second rotational body 905b as shown in FIG. 9.

[0068] The cartridge may include a shaft (not shown) connected to the first rotational body 905a. In some examples, the first rotational body 905a may be a part of the shaft. In some examples, the first rotational body 905a may be connected to the shaft via a gear. The first rotational body 905a can rotate in response to rotation of the shaft. The shaft can rotate in a first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) under the first mode (e.g., during the imaging condition described with respect to FIG. 1) and in a second direction 945 (e.g., counterclockwise) under the second mode (e.g., responsive to a detection of the triggering condition). The second direction is opposite to the first direction. In response to the rotation of the shaft, the first rotational body 905a can rotate in the first direction 940 and in the second direction 945. The activated status of the indicator 910 can be activated by reversing the rotation of the shaft (and thereby reversing the rotation of the first rotational body 905a). The activated status of the indicator 910 may be activated in response to a detection of remaining life of a cartridgecomponent in the cartridge by reversing the rotation of the shaft (e.g., from the first direction 940 to the second direction 945). When the indicator 910 is in the activated status, the indicator 910 is to be audible or visible. For example, in the activated status, the indicator 910 can be visible from outside of the housing.

[0069] The first rotational body 905a includes the indicator 910. The indicator 910 may be a structure protruding from the first rotational body 905a and extending along the radial direction (e.g., T2). The second rotational body 905b includes a slot 915. The slot 915 may be formed such that the indicator 910 extends through the slot 915. The slot 915 may include at least a portion extending along the tangential direction (e.g., T3) of the second rotational body 905b, such that the indicator 910 can move through the slot 915 during the rotation of the first rotational body 905a. The slot 915 may include at least a portion extending along the longitudinal direction (e.g., Tl) of the first rotational body 905a.

[0070] The first rotational body 905a is to rotate in the first direction 940 and the second direction 945 responsive to the rotation of the shaft, and the second rotational body 905b is to rotate in either the first direction 940 or the second direction 945 responsive to the rotation of the shaft. That is, the first rotational body 905a is to rotate both in the first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) and the second direction 945 (e.g., counterclockwise), while the rotation of the second rotational body 905b is limited to one of the first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) or the second direction 945 (e.g., counterclockwise).

[0071] FIG. 10A is a perspective view ofthe indicator body 905 shown in FIG. 9 in the second mode. FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D are side views of the indicator body 905 shown in FIG. 9 in the second mode. The first rotational body 905a and the second rotational body 905b are to rotate in a same direction (e.g., the first direction 940 as shown in FIG. 9) during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 940 under the first mode. For example, the first rotational body 905a and the second rotational body 905b may rotate in the first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) under the first mode. For example, the first rotational body 905a and the second rotational body 905b may rotate in the second direction 945 (e.g., counterclockwise) during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 940 (e.g., clockwise) under the first mode. The rotation of the first rotational body 905a allows the indicator 910 to exert a force on the second rotational body 905b such that the second rotational body 905b rotates along with the first rotational body 905a during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction 940 under the first mode.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 10A, the rotation of the first rotational body 905a is reversed (e.g., from the first direction 940 to the second direction 945) and the rotation of the secondrotational body 905b is prevented during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction 945 under the second mode. For example, during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction 945 under the second mode, the rotation of the first rotational body 905a is reversed from the clockwise direction to the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10A, while the rotation of the second rotational body 905b is stationary. That is, the second rotational body 905b is to rotate in the first direction 940 while not allowed to rotate in the reverse direction. In some examples, this one directional rotation of the second rotational body 905b may be enabled by a ratchet type mechanism, with stationary components anchored to a portion of the housing of the cartridge.

[0073] During the rotation of the shaft in the second direction 945 under the second mode, the second rotational body 905b can exert a force 1005 on the indicator 910 (e.g., at least a portion of the indicator 910 or the entire portion of the indicator 910) to deform the indicator 910 (e.g., the at least a portion of the indicator 910 or the entire portion of the indicator 910). When the rotation of the second rotational body 905b is reversed under the second mode, the second rotational body 905b is prevented to rotate in the reversed direction, as discussed above. Since the indicator 910 extends through the slot 915 of the second rotational body 905b, the rotation of the first rotational body 905a in the reversed direction (e.g., counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 10B) allows a portion of the second rotational body 905b to exert the force 1005 on at least a portion of the indicator 910 and deform the at least a portion of the indicator 910 (e.g., the second rotational body 905b provides resistance to enable a force to deform and / or break off at least a portion of the indicator 910). The indicator 910 may include a bend point 1010 to which the force 1005 is to be applied when the rotation of the first rotational body 905a is reversed. The bend point 1010 provides a stress concentration point to allow bending with a lower amount of force under the second mode. The bend point 1010 may be or include a dent / caved portion that can be used to reduce strength of the indicator 910. For example, the dent / caved portion can reduce the force 1005 needed to deform the indicator 910. The second rotational body 905b may include a cavity 1015 as shown in FIG. 10D. The cavity 1015 is to accommodate the deformed / broken-off portion of the indicator 910.

[0074] FIG. 11 A and FIG. 1 IB are a cartridge including the indicator 910 shown in FIG. 9. The cartridge shown in FIG. 11 A may be under the first mode. The cartridge shown in FIG. 1 IB may be under the second mode. The deformed portion of the indicator 910 may be visible from outside of the housing. As shown in FIG. 11 A and FIG. 1 IB, it is visible whether the indicator 910 has been deformed / broken off or not from outside of the cartridge. For example,at least a portion of the indicator 910 may be a different color than the rest of the housing or the cartridge so as to be obviously visible when the indicator 910 has been deformed. For example, the indicator 910 may include a high contrast colored tab visible when the cartridge is under the first mode. After the indicator 910 has been deformed / broken off (e.g., when the cartridge is under the second mode), the indicator 910 or at least a portion thereof may become less visible. For example, the indicator 910 may include a high contrast colored tab less visible when the cartridge is under the first mode. After the indicator 910 has been deformed / broken off (e.g., when the cartridge is under the second mode), the indicator 910 or at least a portion thereof may become more visible.

[0075] Although the rotation direction of a shaft is described to accord with the rotation direction of a contacting component or a rotational body, in some examples, the rotation direction of the shaft may be different from the rotation direction of the contacting component or the rotation body. For example, the contacting component or the rotational body may rotate in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) while the shaft rotates in the first direction (e.g., clockwise), when the cartridge and / or the image forming apparatus is under the first mode. For example, the contacting component or the rotational body may rotate in the first direction (e.g., clockwise) while the shaft rotates in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise), when the cartridge and / or the image forming apparatus is under the second mode.

[0076] One example is related to a cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertable into an image forming apparatus; and an indicator contained within the housing, wherein the indicator is to be audible in an activated status following a triggering condition.

[0077] In some examples, the cartridge includes a shaft contained within the housing and to be rotated in a first direction under an imaging condition and in a second direction under the triggering condition, the second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the triggering condition is associated with remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge.

[0078] In some examples, the indicator is to remain mounted on the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and the indicator is to demount from the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

[0079] In some examples, the cartridge includes an urging member to urge the indicator along a longitudinal axis of the shaft and engage the indicator with the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction; and a keying member to allow the indicator to rotate relative to the shaft.

[0080] In some examples, the cartridge includes a contacting component to rotate responsive to the rotation of the shaft and to contact the indicator during rotation, wherein the indicator is to deflect during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and wherein the contacting component is to break off the indicator during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

[0081] In some examples, the housing comprises a retention chamber to contain the indicator in the activated status; and the indicator in the activated status is to be audible in the retention chamber.

[0082] Another example is related to a cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertable into an image forming apparatus; and an indicator contained within the housing, the indicator to be disconnected in an activated status following a triggering condition.

[0083] In some examples, the indicator is to be audible or visible in the activated status.

[0084] In some examples, the cartridge includes a shaft contained within the housing, the shaft to be rotated in a first direction under an imaging condition and in a second direction under the triggering condition, the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0085] In some examples, the cartridge includes a contacting component to rotate responsive to the rotation of the shaft and to contact the indicator during rotation, wherein the indicator is to deflect during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and the contacting component is to break off the indicator during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

[0086] In some examples, the cartridge includes a retention chamber to contain the indicator that breaks off, wherein the indicator that breaks off is to be audible.

[0087] In some examples, the cartridge includes a first rotational body to rotate in the first direction and the second direction responsive to the rotation of the shaft; and a second rotational body to rotate in either the first direction or the second direction responsive to the rotation of the shaft, wherein the indicator is provided on the first rotational body.

[0088] In some examples, the first rotational body and the second rotational body are to rotate in a same direction during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction under the imaging condition; the rotation of the first rotational body is reversed during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction under the triggering condition, and the reversed rotation of the first rotational body exerts a force on the indicator to deform the indicator; and the indicator that is deformed is visible from outside of the housing.

[0089] Another example is related to an image forming apparatus. The imaging forming apparatus includes a print engine to form a printing image on a printing medium; a cartridge including: a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertableinto the image forming apparatus; an indicator contained within the housing, wherein the indicator is to be audible in activated status following a triggering condition; and a shaft contained within the housing, the shaft to be rotated in a first direction under an imaging condition and in a second direction under the triggering condition, the second direction opposite to the first direction; and a processor to control the shaft to rotate in the second direction responsive to a detection of a triggering condition.

[0090] In some examples, the rotation of the shaft in the second direction is to activate the indicator.

[0091] It should be understood that examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

[0092] The disclosure has been described above with reference to the various examples. However, it is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0093] The various illustrative logical blocks, circuits, modules, routines, and algorithm steps described in connection with the examples disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of electronic hardware and computer software. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, or as firmware or software that runs on hardware, depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosure.

[0094] Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the examples disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor device, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A control processorcan synthesize a model for an FPGA. For example, the control processor can synthesize a model for logical programmable gates to implement a tensor array and / or a pixel array. The control channel can synthesize a model to connect the tensor array and / or pixel array on an FPGA, a reconfigurable chip and / or die, and / or the like. A general purpose processor device can be a microprocessor. The processor device can be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor device can include electrical circuitry to process computer-executable instructions. In another example, a processor device includes an FPGA or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor device can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, a processor device may also include primarily analog components. For example, some or all of the algorithms described herein may be implemented in analog circuitry or mixed analog and digital circuitry. A computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, to name a few.

[0095] The elements of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described in connection with the examples disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor device, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An example storage medium can be coupled to the processor device such that the processor device can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In some examples, the storage medium can be integral to the processor device. The processor device and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In some examples, the processor device and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0096] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include, while other examples do not include, certain features, elements and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and / or stepsare in any way required for one or more examples or that one or more examples necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular example. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

[0097] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various examples, it can be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As can be recognized, certain examples described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.

[0098] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting and / or logically interactable components.

[0099] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0100] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B"or "A and B." Further, unless otherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,” “substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

[0101] The foregoing description of illustrative examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed examples.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cartridge comprising: a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertable into an image forming apparatus; and an indicator contained within the housing, wherein the indicator is to be audible in an activated status following a triggering condition.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, comprising: a shaft contained within the housing and to be rotated in a first direction under a first mode and in a second direction under a second mode, wherein the second mode is activated when the cartridge meets the triggering condition, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and wherein the triggering condition is associated with remaining life of a cartridge component in the cartridge.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the indicator is to remain mounted on the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and wherein the indicator is to demount from the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

4. The cartridge of claim 2, comprising: an urging member to urge the indicator along a longitudinal axis of the shaft and engage the indicator with the shaft during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction; and a keying member to allow the indicator to rotate relative to the shaft.

5. The cartridge of claim 2, comprising: a contacting component to rotate responsive to the rotation of the shaft and to contact the indicator during rotation, wherein the indicator is to deflect during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and wherein the contacting component is to break off the indicator during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a retention chamber to contain the indicator in the activated status; and wherein the indicator in the activated status is to be audible in the retention chamber.

7. A cartridge comprising: a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertable into an image forming apparatus; and an indicator contained within the housing, the indicator to be disconnected in an activated status following a triggering condition.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the indicator is to be audible, tactile, or visible in the activated status.

9. The cartridge of claim 7, comprising: a shaft contained within the housing, the shaft to be rotated in a first direction under a first mode and in a second direction under a second mode, wherein the second mode is activated when the cartridge meets the triggering condition, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

10. The cartridge of claim 9, comprising: a contacting component to rotate responsive to the rotation of the shaft and to contact the indicator during rotation, wherein: the indicator is to deflect during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and the contacting component is to break off the indicator during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction.

11. The cartridge of claim 10, comprising: a retention chamber to contain the indicator that breaks off, wherein the indicator that breaks off is to be audible.

12. The cartridge of claim 9, comprising:a first rotational body to rotate in the first direction and the second direction responsive to the rotation of the shaft; and a second rotational body to rotate in either the first direction or the second direction responsive to the rotation of the shaft, wherein the indicator is provided on the first rotational body.

13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the first rotational body and the second rotational body are to rotate in a same direction during the rotation of the shaft in the first direction under the first mode; wherein the rotation of the first rotational body is reversed during the rotation of the shaft in the second direction under the second mode, and the reversed rotation of the first rotational body exerts a force on the indicator to deform the indicator; and wherein the indicator that is deformed is visible from outside of the housing.

14. An imaging forming apparatus, comprising: a print engine to form a printing image on a printing medium; a cartridge comprising: a housing having a reservoir to contain printing material, the housing insertable into the image forming apparatus; an indicator contained within the housing, wherein the indicator is to be audible in activated status following a triggering condition; and a shaft contained within the housing, the shaft to be rotated in a first direction under a first mode and in a second direction under a second mode, wherein the second mode is activated when the cartridge meets the triggering condition, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction; and a processor to control the shaft to rotate in the second direction responsive to a detection of a triggering condition.

15. The imaging forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the rotation of the shaft in the second direction is to activate the indicator.

Images