Cartridge alienation responsive to position of control member

Abstract

A cartridge to be received by a printer includes a cartridge alienation assembly to be alternated between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge from providing toner to the printer and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the toner to the printer, a sensor to generate sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of the printer, and a processing circuit including memory and at least one processor. The processing circuit to receive, from the sensor, the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member of the printer, identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to the second configuration, and responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration, adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No.: 86347238CARTRIDGE ALIENATION RESPONSIVE TO POSITION OF CONTROL MEMBERBACKGROUND

[0001] In general, an image forming apparatus refers to a device that may generate, print, receive, and transmit image data. For example, an image forming apparatus may refer to a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, or a multi -function peripheral implemented by integrating a plurality of functions of such devices. An image forming apparatus may output data to a printing medium using printing material in a cartridge.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 A depicts a cross-sectional view of an example cartridge in a first configuration and an example separation control member of an image forming apparatus in a first position.

[0003] FIG. IB depicts a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1A in a second configuration and the separation control member of FIG. 1A in a second position.

[0004] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section view of an example image forming apparatus.

[0005] FIG. 3A depicts a cross-sectional view of another example cartridge in a first configuration and another example separation control member of an image forming device in a first position.

[0006] FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3A in a second configuration and the separation control member of FIG. 3 A in a second position.

[0007] FIG. 4A depicts a block diagram of an example cartridge.

[0008] FIG. 4B depicts a block diagram of an example computer-readable media and an example cartridge.

[0009] FIG. 5 A depicts a flow chart of an example process for operating a cartridge.

[0010] FIG. 5B depicts a flow chart of an example process for operating a cartridge.4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Reference is now made to the figures. Although the figures and aspects of the disclosure can show or describe structures herein as having a particular shape, it should be understood that such shapes are merely illustrative and should not be considered limiting to the scope of the techniques described herein. For example, the examples described herein can be implemented in any shape or geometry for any material or layer to achieve desired results. It should be understood that like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout, repetitive descriptions of which may be omitted. It should be also noted that in the drawings, the dimensions of the features are not intended to be to true scale and may be exaggerated for the sake of allowing greater understanding.

[0012] An image forming apparatus (IF A) may be used to form a printing image on a printing medium (e.g., paper) using printing material in cartridges mounted in the IF A. The IFA may use the printing material in the cartridges to form the printing image on the printing medium. Such cartridges may include a photosensitive member to receive a light from the IFA and a developing member to deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member. The printing material deposited by the developing member on the photosensitive member may form a printing material image on the photosensitive member based on the light received from the IFA. The photosensitive member may provide the printing material image to the IFA such that the IFA can form the printing image on the printing medium using the printing material image. However, when the developing member and the photosensitive member are in a first configuration for the developing member to deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member, the developing member may apply contact forces on the photosensitive member and / or the photosensitive member may apply contact forces on the developing member. As a result of the contact forces, the developing member and / or the photosensitive member may become damaged over time, reducing an operational lifespan of the cartridges. In some examples, a component of the cartridge may be driven by a separation control member of the IFA to alternate the cartridge alienation assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration. The separation control member may apply a driving force on the component of the cartridge alternate the cartridge alienation assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration. However, the driving force may cause additional damage to the cartridge, which may further reduce the operational lifespan of the cartridge.4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238

[0013] Examples disclosed herein provide cartridge that may be received by a printer. The cartridge may include a cartridge alienation assembly that may be alternated between a first configuration that may inhibit the cartridge from providing printing material to the printer and a second configuration that may allow for the cartridge to provide the printing material to the printer, a sensor that may generate sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of the printer, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may receive, from the sensor, the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member of the printer. Responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration, the processing circuit may adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly may limit loading between components of the cartridge when the cartridge is not providing the printing material to the printer to reduce damages to the components of the cartridge. Additionally, adjusting the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration based on the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member may prevent the separation control member from applying a driving force on the cartridge to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration to reduce damages to the cartridge from the separation control member.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1A, an example cartridge 110 (e.g., a process cartridge, a process toner cartridge, etc.) is to be received by an example image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., a printer, a printing device, etc.). The image forming apparatus 100 may be used to form a printing image (e.g., a printed image, etc.) on a printing medium (e.g., paper, card stock, etc.). The cartridge 110 may store printing material (e.g., toner, etc.) and provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100. The cartridge 110 may receive inputs (e.g., user inputs, light inputs, from the image forming apparatus 100, etc.) associated with desired printing images and provide printing material images (e.g., toner images, etc.) to the image forming apparatus 100 formed out of the printing material corresponding to the desired printing images that can be transferred to a print medium (e.g., paper, card stock, etc.) such that the image forming apparatus 100 may form the desired printing images on the print medium. The cartridge 110 may include a cartridge alienation assembly 120 (e.g., a toner assembly, a roller assembly, etc.) that may be placed in a first configuration (e.g., a cartridge alienation configuration, etc.) that may inhibit (e.g., prevent, etc.) the cartridge 110 from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100. When the cartridge4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 alienation assembly 120 is in the first configuration, loading of components of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 may be prevented, increasing an operational lifespan of the image forming apparatus 100 compared to when the components of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 are under loads. By way of example, the cartridge alienation assembly 120 may include a providing roller that provides the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and a supply roller that provides the printing material to the providing roller (e.g., from a storage portion of the cartridge 110, from a supply cartridge, etc.). When the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the first configuration, the supply roller may be alienated (e.g., separated, etc.) from the providing roller such that the printing material cannot be transferred from the supply roller to the providing roller to be provided to the image forming apparatus 100. Additionally, separating the supply roller and the providing roller may reduce loading on the supply roller and the providing roller compared to when the supply roller and the providing roller are in contact.

[0015] The cartridge 110 may include a sensor 130 to generate sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member 102 (e.g., a control member, a control arm, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 100. The sensor 130 may include various sensors positioned about the cartridge 110 to acquire sensor information or sensor data regarding the position of the separation control member 102 and / or movement thereof. In some examples, the sensor 130 may be positioned at least a distance (e.g., a distance greater than zero, etc.) away from the separation control member 102 while the sensor 130 generates the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member 102. By way of example, the sensor 130 may be a position sensor (e.g., a laser displacement sensor, etc.), a motion sensor, a camera, an optical sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a LiDAR sensor, etc.), an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetometer, and / or other sensors to facilitate acquiring sensor data regarding the position of the separation control member 102 without the sensor 130 contacting (e.g., interfacing with, etc.) the separation control member 102. In other examples, the sensor 130 may be a contact sensor (e.g., a switch, a button, etc.) that generates the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member 102 based on the separation control member 102 contacting the sensor 130.

[0016] The cartridge 110 may include a processing circuit 140 including a processor 142 and memory 144. The processor 142 may be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one field programmable gate array4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238(FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components.

[0017] The memory 144 (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) may include at least one device (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present application. The memory 144 may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. By way of example, the memory 144 may be a non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied therein that, when executed by the processor 142 cause the processor 142 to perform operations associated with the computer-executable instructions. The memory 144 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present application. According to some examples, the memory 144 is communicably connected to the processor 142 via the processing circuit 140 and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by at least one of the processing circuit 140 or the processor 142) at least one of the processes described herein.

[0018] As shown in FIG. IB, the separation control member 102 may be adjusted from the first configuration to a second configuration (e.g., an image forming configuration, etc.) that may allow for the cartridge 110 to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100. By way of example, the cartridge alienation assembly 120 may include a providing roller that provides the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and a supply roller that provides the printing material to the providing roller (e.g., from a storage portion of the cartridge 110, from a supply cartridge, etc.). When the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the second configuration, the supply roller may be in contact with the providing roller such that the printing material can be transferred from the supply roller to the providing roller for the providing roller to provide to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0019] The processing circuit 140 may receive the sensor data from the sensor 130 indicating the position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. The processing circuit 140 may be communicably coupled (e.g., wirelessly communicably coupled, communicably coupled through a wire, etc.) to the sensor 130 in order to receive the sensor data from the sensor 130. By way of example, when the sensor 130 is a position sensor, the sensor data may indicate the position of the separation control member 102. By way of4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 another example, when the sensor 130 is a motion sensor, the sensor data may indicate a movement of the separation control member 102 in a direction from a first position of the separation control member 102 towards a second position of the separation control member 102.

[0020] The processing circuit 140, responsive to the position of the separation control member 102 corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120, may adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration. By way of example, the cartridge 110 may include an actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second conjugation. The processing circuit 140 may determine, based on the sensor data, whether the separation control member 102 is in a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 or a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120. When the processing circuit 140 determines that the separation control member 102 is in the second position based on the sensor data, the processing circuit 140 may provide a control signal to the actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration so that the cartridge 110 may provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0021] In some examples, the processing circuit 140, responsive to the position of the separation control member 102 corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120, may adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the second configuration to the first configuration. By way of example, the cartridge 110 may include an actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. The processing circuit 140 may determine, based on the sensor data, whether the separation control member 102 is in a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 or a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120. When the processing circuit 140 determines that the separation control member 102 is in the first position based on the sensor data, the processing circuit 140 may provide a control signal to the actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the second configuration to the first configuration so that the cartridge 110 is inhibited from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100.4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238

[0022] In some examples, the sensor 130 may generate updated sensor data indicating an updated position of the separation control member 102. By way of example, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print command indicating a desired printing image, the image forming apparatus 100 may move the separation control member 102 from a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 to a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 to cause the cartridge 110 to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration to allow for the cartridge 110 to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 so that the image forming apparatus 100 may form the desired printing image. Once the image forming apparatus 100 has formed the desired printing image, the image forming apparatus 100 may move the separation control member 102 from the second position to the first position. The sensor 130 may generate the updated sensor data indicating that the separation control member 102 is in the first position and provide the updated sensor data to the processing circuit 140. In response to the update sensor data indicating that the separation control member 102 is in the first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120, the processing circuit 140 may adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the second configuration to the first configuration to inhibit the cartridge 110 from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and / or decreasing loads between components of the cartridge 110.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 100 may operate the separation control member 102 in order to cause the cartridge 110 to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. By way of example, the image forming apparatus 100 may operate the separation control member 102 between a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 and a second position corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120. When the image forming apparatus 100 determines that a printing image does not include the printing material stored in the cartridge 110, the image forming apparatus 100 may operate the separation control member 102 to the first position such that the senor data generated by the sensor 130 indicates that the separation control member 102 is in the first position and the processing circuit 140 does not adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration. When the image forming apparatus 100 determines that a printing image includes the printing material stored in the cartridge 110, the image4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 forming apparatus 100 may operate the separation control member 102 to the second position such that the sensor data generated by the sensor 130 indicates that the separation control member 102 is in the second position and the processing circuit 140 adjusts the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first position to the second position. The figures and the description below illustrate and describe various examples of the image forming apparatus 100 and / or the cartridge 110.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, an example image forming apparatus 100 used to form a printing image includes the main body 200, a print medium feeding apparatus 210 to feed a print medium P, a transferring apparatus 220, an exposure apparatus 240 to emit a predetermined light corresponding to print data in accordance with a print command received by the image forming apparatus 100, a fixing apparatus 260 to apply heat and / or pressure onto the print medium P to fix an image onto the print medium P, a print medium discharging apparatus 270 to discharge the print medium P, and a developing apparatus 250. The main body 200 may form an outer frame (e.g., an outer appearance, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 100 and may receive, fix, and / or support the print medium feeding apparatus 210, the transferring apparatus 220, the exposure apparatus 240, the fixing apparatus 260, the print medium discharging apparatus 270, and the developing apparatus 250.

[0025] The developing apparatus 250 may receive the light emitted by the exposure apparatus 240 and output a printing material image based on the light that allows for the printing material image to be transferred to the print medium P by the transferring apparatus 220. According to the example shown in FIG. 2, the developing apparatus 250 may receive and / or include a first cartridge 110a, a second cartridge 110b, a third cartridge 110c, and a fourth cartridge HOd (together the cartridge 110, and individual, the cartridge 110) detachably mounted on the developing apparatus 250. The first cartridge 110a, the second cartridge 110b, the third cartridge 110c, and the fourth cartridge 1 lOd may be independently mounted on the developing apparatus 250. When the cartridges 110 are mounted on the developing apparatus 250, at least one of the cartridges 110 may receive the light emitted by the exposure apparatus 240 and provide the printing material stored in the at least one of the cartridges 110 to the transferring apparatus 220 based on the light received from the exposure apparatus 240. By way of example, the cartridges 110 may include an imaging drum (e.g., an image carrier, etc.) that is coated with a material that becomes electrically charged when exposed to light. When the light from the exposure apparatus 240 contacts the imaging drum, a charged image (e.g.,4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 an electrostatic latent image, etc.) may be formed on the imaging drum corresponding to the light. Toner may be electrically attracted to certain portions of the charged image to form the printing material image on the imaging drum. The imaging drum may then provide the printing material image to the intermediate transfer belt unit 222 to be transferred to the printing medium P. After the printing material image has been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt unit 222, any residual toner on the imaging drum may be cleaned off of the imaging drum and stored as waste toner so that the process may be repeated. In some examples, multiple of the cartridges 110 mounted on the developing apparatus 250 may receive the light outputted by the exposure apparatus 240 and transfer printing material images onto the transferring apparatus 220 based on the light. By way of example, the first cartridge 110a associated with a first toner with a first color may transfer a first printing material image with the first color to the transferring apparatus 220, the second cartridge 110b associated with a second toner with a second color may transfer a second printing material image with the second color to the transferring apparatus 220, the third cartridge 110c associated with a third toner with a third color may transfer a third printing material image with the third color to the transferring apparatus 220, and the fourth cartridge 1 lOd associated with a fourth toner with a fourth color may transfer a fourth printing material image with the fourth color to the transferring apparatus 220 to form a composite printing material image (e.g., a color printing material image, etc.) on the transferring apparatus 220.

[0026] The first cartridge 110a may include a first cartridge alienation assembly 120a, the second cartridge 110b may include a second cartridge alienation assembly 120b, the third cartridge 110c may include a third cartridge alienation assembly 120c, and the fourth cartridge HOd may include a fourth cartridge alienation assembly 120d (together the cartridge alienation assemblies 120, and individual, the cartridge alienation assembly 120). The first cartridge 110a may adjust the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a between a first configuration that inhibits the first cartridge 110a from providing first printing material (e.g., first toner, etc.) to the transferring apparatus 220 and a second configuration that allows for the first cartridge 110a to provide the first printing material to the transferring apparatus 220. The second cartridge 110b may adjust the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b between a third configuration that inhibits the second cartridge 110b from providing second printing material (e.g., second toner, etc.) to the transferring apparatus 220 and a fourth configuration that allows for the second cartridge 110b to provide the second printing material to the transferring apparatus 220. The third cartridge 110c may adjust the third cartridge alienation4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 assembly 120c between a fifth configuration that inhibits the third cartridge 110c from providing third printing material (e.g., third toner, etc.) to the transferring apparatus 220 and a sixth configuration that allows for the third cartridge 110c to provide the third printing material to the transferring apparatus 220. The fourth cartridge HOd may adjust the fourth cartridge alienation assembly 120d between a seventh configuration that inhibits the fourth cartridge HOd from providing fourth printing material (e.g., fourth toner, etc.) to the transferring apparatus 220 and an eighth configuration that allows for the fourth cartridge 1 lOd to provide the fourth printing material to the transferring apparatus 220.

[0027] According to the example shown in FIG. 2, the developing apparatus 250 includes a first separation control member 102a, a second separation control member 102b, a third separation control member 102c, and a fourth separation control member 102d (together the separation control members 102, and individual, the separation control member 102). The first separation control member 102a may be associated with the first cartridge 110a, the second separation control member 102b may be associated with the second cartridge 110b, the third separation control member 102c may be associated with the third cartridge 110c, and the fourth separation control member 102d may be associated with the fourth cartridge 1 lOd. By way of example, the first separation control member 102a may be positioned under the first cartridge 110a within a field of view of the sensor 130 of the first cartridge 110a, the second separation control member 102b may be positioned under the second cartridge 110b within a field of view of the sensor 130 of the second cartridge 110b, the third separation control member 102c may be positioned under the third cartridge 110c within a field of view of the sensor 130 of the third cartridge 110c and the fourth separation control member 102d may be positioned under the fourth cartridge 1 lOd within a field of view of the sensor 130 of the fourth cartridge 1 lOd. The cartridges 110 may utilize the first separation control member 102a to cause the first cartridge 110a to alternate the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a between the first configuration and the second configuration, the second separation control member 102b to cause the second cartridge 110b to operate the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b between the third configuration and the fourth configuration, the third separation control member 102c to cause the third cartridge 110c to alternate the third cartridge alienation assembly 120c between the fifth configuration and the sixth configuration, and the fourth separation control member 102d to cause the fourth cartridge HOd to alternate the fourth cartridge alienation assembly 120d between the seventh configuration and the eighth configuration. By way of example, the first cartridge 110a may4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 be associated with a first printing material with a first color and the second cartridge 110b may be associated with a second printing material with a second color. The image forming apparatus 100 may receive a print command corresponding to a desired printing image that includes the first color but does not include the second color. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 may operate the first separation control member 102a to a first position corresponding to the second configuration of the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a such that the first cartridge 110a operates the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a to the second configuration to allow for the first cartridge 110a to provide the first printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and may operate the second separation control member 102b to a second position corresponding to the third configuration of the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b such that the second cartridge 110b does not operate the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b to the fourth configuration to inhibit the second cartridge 110b from providing the second printing material to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0028] The first cartridge 110a may include a first sensor 130a, the second cartridge 110b may include a second sensor 130b, the third cartridge 110c may include a third sensor 130c, and the fourth cartridge 1 lOd may include a fourth sensor 130d (together the sensors 130, and individual, the sensor 130) to generate sensor data indicating positions of the separation control members 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. The first sensor 130a may generate first sensor data indicating a first position of the first separation control member 102a, the second sensor 130b may generate second sensor data indicating a second position of the second separation control member 102b, the third sensor 130c may generate third sensor data indicating a third position of the third separation control member 102c, and the fourth sensor 130d may generate fourth sensor data indicating a fourth position of the fourth separation control member 102d. By way of example, the first sensor 130a may be a first optical sensor directed toward the first separation control member 102a and the second sensor 130b may be a second optical sensor directed toward the second separation control member 102b. The first sensor 130a may generate first optical sensor data indicating the first position of the first separation control member 102a along a first range of motion of the first separation control member 102a and the second sensor 130b may generate second optical sensor data indicating the second position of the second separation control member 102b along a second range of motion of the second separation control member 102b.

[0029] The first cartridge 110a may include a first processing circuit 140a, the second4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 cartridge 110b may include a second processing circuit 140b, the third cartridge 110c may include a third processing circuit 140c, and the fourth cartridge HOd may include a fourth processing circuit 140d (together the processing circuits 140, and individual, the processing circuit 140). The first processing circuit 140a may receive the first sensor data indicating the first position of the first separation control member 102a from the first sensor 130a, the second processing circuit 140b may receive the second sensor data indicating the second position of the second separation control member 102b from the second sensor 130b, the third processing circuit 140c may receive the third sensor data indicating the third position of the third separation control member 102c from the third sensor 130c, and the fourth processing circuit 140d may receive the fourth sensor data indicating the fourth position of the fourth separation control member 102d from the fourth sensor 130d. The first processing circuit 140a may adjust the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a based on the first sensor data received from the first sensor 130a, the second processing circuit 140b may adjust the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b based on the second sensor data received from the second sensor 130b, the third processing circuit 140c may adjust the third cartridge alienation assembly 120c based on the third sensor data received from the third sensor 130c, and the fourth processing circuit 140d may adjust the third sensor 130c based on the fourth sensor data received from the fourth sensor 130d. By way of example, if the first sensor data received by the first processing circuit 140a from the first sensor 130a indicates that a first position of the first separation control member 102a corresponds to the second configuration of the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a, the first processing circuit 140a may adjust the first cartridge alienation assembly 120a from the first configuration to the second configuration. By way of another example, if the second sensor data received from the second processing circuit 140b from the second processing circuit 140b indicates that a second position of the second separation control member 102b corresponds to the fourth configuration of the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b, the second processing circuit 140b may adjust the second cartridge alienation assembly 120b from the third configuration to the fourth configuration.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the cartridge 110 to be received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes the cartridge alienation assembly 120, the sensor 130, and the processing circuit 140. The cartridge 110 may include a first housing 112 and a second housing 114 movably coupled to the first housing 112. The first housing 112 may receive the sensor 130, the processing circuit 140, and a first portion of the cartridge alienation assembly 120. The second housing may receive a second portion of the cartridge alienation assembly 120. The first housing 112 may be spaced a first distance from the second housing 114 when4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the first configuration.

[0031] In some examples, the cartridge alienation assembly 120 may include a photosensitive member 122 (e.g., an imaging drum, etc.) and a developing member 124 (e.g., supply drum, etc.) to deposit printing material (e.g., toner, etc.) on the photosensitive member 122. The photosensitive member 122 may be coupled to the second housing 114 and the developing member 124 may be coupled to the first housing 112. The photosensitive member 122 may be coated with a material that becomes electrically charged when exposed to light. When the cartridge 110 is mounted on the exposure apparatus 240 and receives the light from the exposure apparatus 240, the light may contact the photosensitive member 122 and a charged pattern may be formed on the photosensitive member 122 based on the light. The developing member 124 may then deposit the printing material onto the photosensitive member 122. The printing material deposited by the developing member 124 onto the photosensitive member 122 may be electrically attracted to the charged pattern to form the printing material image on the photosensitive member 122. The photosensitive member 122 may then transfer the printing material image to the transferring apparatus 220 to be transferred to the printing medium P.

[0032] In some examples, when the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the first configuration, at least a portion of the developing member 124 may be spaced from (e.g., alienated from, etc.) the photosensitive member 122 such that the developing member 124 may not deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member 122. Since the developing member 124 may not deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member 122, the photosensitive member 122, and thus the cartridge 110, may be inhibited from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100. When the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the second configuration, loading may be present between the photosensitive member 122 and the developing member 124 (e.g., the photosensitive member 122 may apply a load on the developing member 124, the developing member 124 may apply a load on the photosensitive member 122, etc.), which may damage the photosensitive member 122 and / or the developing member 124 over time. As a result, the cartridge alienation assembly 120 may be placed in the first configuration where the portion of the developing member 124 may be spaced from the photosensitive member 122 when the image forming apparatus 100 is not utilizing the printing material received from the cartridge 110 to reduce the loading between the photosensitive member 122 and the developing member 124 to limit the damage to the4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 photosensitive member 122 and / or the developing member 124 and increase an operational lifetime of the cartridge 110.

[0033] In some examples, the cartridge 110 may include a power source 150 (e.g., an energy storage device, such as a battery, a battery pack, a plurality of batteries, a battery assembly, a capacitor, etc.) to provide electrical energy to other components of the cartridge 110 (e.g., the sensor 130, the processing circuit 140, etc.). The power source 150 may store the electrical energy and provides the electrical energy to the other components of the cartridge 110. In some examples, the power source 150 may be coupled to the first housing 112. In other examples, the power source 150 may be coupled to the second housing 114. In still other examples, the cartridge 110 may be electrically coupled to the image forming apparatus 100 when the cartridge 110 is mounted on the exposure apparatus 240 and receives electrical energy from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0034] The cartridge 110 may include an actuator 160 to operate the cartridge alienation assembly 120 of the cartridge 110 between the first configuration and the second configuration. By way of example, the actuator 160 may be a linear actuator, a motor, a piston, a cam assembly, a d-roller clutch, or any other type of actuator that may operate the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. The processing circuit 140 may provide control signals (e.g., control decisions, commands, etc.) to the actuator 160 to operate the actuator 160. In some examples, the actuator 160 may be coupled between the first housing 112 and the second housing 114 and may adjust a distance between the first housing 112 and the second housing 114 to operate the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. In some examples, the actuator 160 is an electric actuator. By way of example, the actuator 160 may be electrically coupled to the power source 150 and receive electric energy from the power source 150 to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. By way of another example, the actuator 160 may be electrically coupled to the image forming apparatus 100 when the cartridge 110 is mounted on the developing apparatus 250. The actuator 160 may receive electrical energy from the image forming apparatus 100 to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0035] According to the example shown in FIG. 3B, when the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the second configuration, at least a portion of the developing member 124 may4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 contact the photosensitive member 122 such that the developing member 124 may deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member 122. Since the developing member 124 may deposit the printing material on the photosensitive member 122, the photosensitive member 122, and thus the cartridge 110, may provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0036] In some examples, the actuator 160 may adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration by adjusting the distance between the first housing 112 and the second housing 114. By way of example, when the cartridge alienation assembly 120 is in the first configuration, the actuator 160 may be in an extended configuration where the second housing 114 is spaced a first distance away from the first housing 112 such that at least the portion of the developing member 124 is spaced from the photosensitive member 122. To adjust the cartridge alienation assembly 120 from the first configuration to the second configuration, the processing circuit 140 may operate the actuator 160 from the extended configuration to a contracted configuration where the second housing 114 is spaced a second distance away from the first housing 112, the second distance less than the first distance. When the second housing 114 is spaced the second distance from the first housing 112, at least a portion of the developing member 124 may contact the photosensitive member 122.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 4 A, the cartridge 110 to be received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes the cartridge alienation assembly 120 to be alternated between the first configuration that inhibits the cartridge 110 from providing printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and the second configuration that allows for the cartridge 110 to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100, the sensor 130 to generate the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100, the processing circuit 140 communicably coupled to the sensor to receive the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 from the sensor 130, the actuator 160 communicably coupled to the processing circuit 140 to receive control signals from the processing circuit 140 corresponding to adjusting the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration and the second configuration, and the power source 150 electrically coupled to the actuator 160 to provide electrical energy to the actuator 160. The actuator 160 may receive the electrical energy from the power source 150 to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238120 between the first configuration and the second configuration. The processing circuit 140 includes the processor 142 and the memory 144. In some examples, the power source 150 is electrically coupled to the processing circuit 140 to provide electrical energy to the processing circuit 140 (e.g., when the processing circuit 140 is an electrical power circuit, etc.).

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 4B, a computer-readable media 600 may have computer-executable instructions embodied therein that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to follow the computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable media 600 may be a non-transitory computer readable media. In some examples, the computer-readable media 600 may be the memory 144. The computer executable instructions embodied on the computer-readable media 600 may be executed by the processor 142 of the cartridge 110. The computer executable instructions embodied on the computer-readable media 600 may be executed by the processor 142 to alternate the cartridge alienation assembly 120 between the first configuration that inhibits the cartridge 110 from providing printing material to the image forming apparatus 100 and the second configuration that allows for the cartridge 110 to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus 100, acquire the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 from the sensor 130. For example, the computer-readable media 600 may include instruction 610 to receive, from a sensor, sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member, instruction 620 to identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to a second configuration of a cartridge that allows for a developing member of the cartridge to deposit toner onto a photosensitive member of the cartridge, and instruction 630 to adjust the cartridge from a first configuration where at least a portion of the developing member of the cartridge is spaced from the photosensitive member to the second configuration responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an example method 500 may be utilized to operate a cartridge received by an image forming apparatus. The method 500 may be utilized to operate cartridge between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge form providing printing material to the image forming apparatus and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus. The method 500 may operate the cartridge into the second configuration when the image forming apparatus is forming a printing material image from the printing material on a print medium and operate4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 the cartridge into the first configuration when the image forming apparatus is not forming the printing material image from the printing material on the print medium. As a result, the method 500 may limit loading between components of the cartridge that are present when the cartridge is in the second configuration by placing the cartridge in the first configuration where the loading is minimized when the cartridge does not need to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus. The method 500 may be executed by, for example, the processing circuit 140 of the cartridge 110. The method 500 may be stored as computerexecutable instructions embodied on the computer-readable media 600 that, when executed by at least one processor (e.g., the processor 142 of the cartridge 110, etc.), cause the at least one processor to execute the method 500.

[0040] In some examples, the method 500 may begin in response to receiving an indication that a cartridge has been received by an image forming apparatus. By way of example, the processing circuit 140 may begin executing the method 500 in response to receiving an indication that the cartridge 110 has been received by the image forming apparatus 100 prior to receiving the sensor data from the sensor 130. In some examples, the indication that the cartridge 110 has been received by the image forming apparatus 100 may be included in the sensor data generated by the sensor 130. By way of example, the sensor data generated by the sensor 130 indicating the position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 may be in indication that the cartridge 110 has been received by the image forming apparatus 100, as the sensor data may not indicate the position of the separation control member 102 until the cartridge 110 is received by the image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., due to the separation control member 102 not being in a field of view of the sensor 130 until the cartridge 110 is received by the image forming apparatus 100, etc.). In other examples, the cartridge 110 may include a printer interface that interfaces with the image forming apparatus 100 when the cartridge 110 is received by the image forming apparatus 100 and provides the indication to the processing circuit 140 that the cartridge 110 has been received by the image forming apparatus 100. By way of example, the cartridge 110 may include a switch that contacts a portion of the image forming apparatus 100 when the cartridge 110 is received by the image forming apparatus 100. When the switch contacts the portion of the image forming apparatus 100, the switch may provide the indication that the cartridge 110 has been received by the image forming apparatus 100 to the processing circuit 140.

[0041] In some examples, the method 500 may include receiving, from a sensor, sensor data4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 indicating a position of a separation control member of a printer (step 502). By way of example, the processing circuit 140 of the cartridge 110 may receive sensor data from the sensor 130 indicating a position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. In some examples, the sensor is spaced a distance (e.g., a distance greater than zero, etc.) away from the separation control member (e.g., the sensor is a remote sensor, etc.). By way of example, the sensor may generate the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member without contacting the separation control member. In other examples, the sensor at least partially contacts the separation control member.

[0042] In some examples, the method 500 may include identifying whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to a second configuration of a cartridge (step 504). In some examples, the identification of whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to the second configuration of the cartridge is based on the sensor data received during step 502. By way of example, the processing circuit 140 may determine if the position of the separation control member 102 corresponds to the second configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 of the cartridge 110. The separation control member may be moved by the image forming apparatus in order to cause the cartridge to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus. By way of example, the image forming apparatus may operate the separation control member to the position that corresponds to the second configuration of the cartridge based on the image forming apparatus forming a printing material image from the printing material stored in the cartridge on a print medium. In some examples, the position of the separation control member may correspond to the second configuration of the cartridge when the separation control member is positioned with a portion of a range of movement of the separation control member. By way of example, the separation control member may have a range of movement that includes a first portion corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge and a second portion corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge. The position of the separation control member may be determined to correspond to the second configuration of the cartridge when the sensor data indicates that the separation control member is positioned in the second portion of the range of movement of the separation control member. In other examples, the position of the separation control member may correspond to movement of the separation control member. By way of example, the separation control member may be movable between a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge and a second position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge. The position of the separation control member may4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 be determined to correspond to the second configuration of the cartridge when the sensor data indicates that the separation control member is moving away from the first position and / or toward the second position.

[0043] In response to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge (step 504 “YES”), the method 500 may proceed to step 506. In response to the position of the separation control member not corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge (step 504 “NO”), the method 500 may return to step 502.

[0044] In some examples, the method 500 may include adjusting the cartridge from a first configuration to the second configuration (step 506). By way of example, the processing circuit 140 may operate the actuator 160 to adjust the cartridge 110 from the first configuration to the second configuration. Adjusting the cartridge to the second configuration allows for the cartridge to provide the printing material to the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus may form a printing material image on a print medium using the printing material received from the cartridge.

[0045] In some examples, the method 500 may include receiving, from the sensor, updated sensor data indicating an updated position of the separation control member (step 508). By way of example, the processing circuit 140 of the cartridge 110 may receive updated sensor data from the sensor 130 indicating an updated position of the separation control member 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. The sensor may generate and provide the updated sensor data after generating and providing the sensor data in step 502. By way of example, the sensor may generate and provide the sensor data before the image forming apparatus forms a printing material image on a print medium using the print material received from the cartridge and the sensor may generate and provide the updated sensor data after the image forming apparatus forms the printing material image on the print medium using the print material received from the cartridge.

[0046] In some examples, the method 500 may include identifying whether the updated position of the separation control member corresponds to the first configuration of the cartridge (step 510). In some examples, the identification of whether the updated position of the separation control member corresponds to the first configuration of the cartridge is based on the updated sensor data received during step 508. By way of example, the processing4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 circuit 140 may determine if the updated position of the separation control member 102 corresponds to the first configuration of the cartridge alienation assembly 120 of the cartridge 110. The separation control member may be moved by the image forming apparatus in order to inhibit the cartridge from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus. By way of example, the image forming apparatus may operate the separation control member to the updated position that corresponds to the first configuration of the cartridge based on the image forming apparatus completing the printing material image formed from the printing material received from the cartridge on the print medium. In some examples, the updated position of the separation control member may correspond to the first configuration of the cartridge when the separation control member is positioned with a portion of a range of movement of the separation control member. By way of example, the separation control member may have a range of movement that includes a first portion corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge and a second portion corresponding to the second configuration of the cartridge. The updated position of the separation control member may be determined to correspond to the first configuration of the cartridge when the sensor data indicates that the separation control member is positioned in the first portion of the range of movement of the separation control member. In other examples, the updated position of the separation control member may correspond to movement of the separation control member. By way of example, the separation control member may be movable between a first position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge and a second position corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge. The updated position of the separation control member may be determined to correspond to the second configuration of the cartridge when the sensor data indicates that the separation control member is moving away from the second position and / or toward the first position.

[0047] In response to the updated position of the separation control member corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge (step 510 “YES”), the method 500 may proceed to step 512. In response to the updated position of the separation control member not corresponding to the first configuration of the cartridge (step 510 “NO”), the method 500 may return to step 508.

[0048] In some examples, the method 500 may include adjusting the cartridge from the second configuration to the first configuration (step 512). By way of example, the processing circuit 140 may operate the actuator 160 to adjust the cartridge 110 from the second4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 configuration to the first configuration. Adjusting the cartridge to the first configuration inhibits the cartridge from providing the printing material to the image forming apparatus to reduce the loading of components of the cartridge when the image forming apparatus is not forming printing material images on print mediums using the printing material from the cartridge.

[0049] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a cartridge to be received by a printer is disclosed. The cartridge includes a cartridge alienation assembly to be alternated between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge from providing toner to the printer and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the toner to the printer, a sensor to generate sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of the printer, and a processing circuit including memory and at least one processor. The processing circuit to receive, from the sensor, the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member of the printer, identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to the second configuration, and responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration, adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0050] In some examples, the cartridge alienation assembly includes a photosensitive member and a developing member to deposit the toner on the photosensitive member. When the cartridge alienation assembly is in the first configuration, at least a portion of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member. In some examples, the cartridge alienation assembly comprises an actuator to operate the cartridge alienation assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration and the processing circuit operates the actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some examples, the cartridge also includes an energy storage device to store electrical energy and the actuator is an electric actuator electrically coupled to the energy storage device such that the actuator receives the electrical energy from the energy storage device to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some examples, the cartridge is to be electrically coupled to the printer to receive electrical energy from the printer and the actuator is an electric actuator that receives the electrical energy from the printer to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some examples, the sensor is spaced a distance away from the separation control member.4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238

[0051] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied therein that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to receive, from a sensor, sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of a printer, identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to a second configuration of a cartridge that allows for a developing member of the cartridge to deposit toner onto a photosensitive member of the cartridge, and responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration , adjust the cartridge from a first configuration where at least a portion of the developing member of the cartridge is spaced from the photosensitive member to the second configuration.

[0052] In some examples, the position of the separation control member is determined based on the sensor data corresponding to movement of the separation control member from a first position toward a second position. In some examples, after adjusting the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to receive, from the sensor, updated sensor data indicating an updated position of the separation control member, identify whether the updated position of the separation control member corresponds to the first configuration of the cartridge, and responsive to the updated position of the separation control member corresponding to the first configuration, adjust the cartridge from the second configuration to the first configuration. In some examples, prior to receiving the sensor data, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to receive an indication that the cartridge has been received by the printer.

[0053] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a separation control member. The image forming apparatus is to receive a cartridge to be alternated between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge from providing toner to the image forming apparatus and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the toner to the image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a sensor to generate sensor data indicating a position of the separation control member of the image forming apparatus and a processing circuit to adjust the configuration of the cartridge based on the sensor data.

[0054] In some examples, the separation control member is a first separation control member, the cartridge is a first cartridge, the toner is a first toner, the sensor is a first sensor, the sensor data is first sensor data, the position is a first position, and the processing circuit is a first processing circuit, the image forming apparatus comprises a second separation control4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 member, and the image forming apparatus is to receive a second cartridge to be alternated between a third configuration that inhibits the second cartridge from providing second toner to the image forming apparatus and a fourth configuration that allows for the second cartridge to provide the second toner to the image forming apparatus. The second cartridge includes a second sensor to generate second sensor data indicating a second position of the second separation control member of the image forming apparatus and a second processing circuit to adjust the configuration of the second cartridge based on the second sensor data. The first toner is a first color and the second toner is a second color. In some examples, the cartridge further includes an actuator to adjust the cartridge between the first configuration and the second configuration. The processing circuit operates the actuator to adjust the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some examples, the cartridge includes a battery to store electrical energy and the actuator is an electric actuator electrically coupled to the battery such that the actuator receives the electrical energy from the battery to operate the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some examples, the sensor is positioned at least a distance away from the separation control member.

[0055] 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 should 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements are in any way required for examples or those examples include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements are included or are to be performed in any4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 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.

[0058] 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 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] It should be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and4894-9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 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 should be understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent should be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art should recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number. It should be 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" should be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B." Furthermore, unless otherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,” “substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

[0062] 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.4894-9433-2367.1

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cartridge to be received by a printer, the cartridge comprising: a cartridge alienation assembly to be alternated between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge from providing toner to the printer and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the toner to the printer; a sensor to generate sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of the printer; and a processing circuit comprising memory and at least one processor, the processing circuit to: receive, from the sensor, the sensor data indicating the position of the separation control member of the printer; identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to the second configuration, and responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration, adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein: the cartridge alienation assembly comprises: a photosensitive member, and a developing member to deposit the toner on the photosensitive member; and when the cartridge alienation assembly is in the first configuration, at least a portion of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein: the cartridge alienation assembly comprises an actuator to operate the cartridge alienation assembly between the first configuration and the second configuration; and the processing circuit operates the actuator to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, further comprising an energy storage device to store electrical energy; wherein the actuator is an electric actuator electrically coupled to the energy storage device such that the actuator receives the electrical energy from the energy storage device to -9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

5. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein: the cartridge is to be electrically coupled to the printer to receive electrical energy from the printer; and the actuator is an electric actuator that receives the electrical energy from the printer to adjust the cartridge alienation assembly from the first configuration to the second configuration.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sensor is spaced a distance away from the separation control member.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied therein that, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: receive, from a sensor, sensor data indicating a position of a separation control member of a printer; identify whether the position of the separation control member corresponds to a second configuration of a cartridge that allows for a developing member of the cartridge to deposit toner onto a photosensitive member of the cartridge; and responsive to the position of the separation control member corresponding to the second configuration, adjust the cartridge from a first configuration where at least a portion of the developing member of the cartridge is spaced from the photosensitive member to the second configuration.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the position of the separation control member is determined based on the sensor data corresponding to movement of the separation control member from a first position toward a second position.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein, after adjusting the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to: receive, from the sensor, updated sensor data indicating an updated position of the separation control member; identify whether the updated position of the separation control member corresponds -9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 86347238 to the first configuration of the cartridge; and responsive to the updated position of the separation control member corresponding to the first configuration, adjust the cartridge from the second configuration to the first configuration.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein, prior to receiving the sensor data, the instructions further cause the at least one processor to: receive an indication that the cartridge has been received by the printer.

11. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a separation control member; wherein the image forming apparatus is to receive a cartridge to be alternated between a first configuration that inhibits the cartridge from providing toner to the image forming apparatus and a second configuration that allows for the cartridge to provide the toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: a sensor to generate sensor data indicating a position of the separation control member of the image forming apparatus; and a processing circuit to adjust the configuration of the cartridge based on the sensor data.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the separation control member is a first separation control member, the cartridge is a first cartridge, the toner is a first toner, the sensor is a first sensor, the sensor data is first sensor data, the position is a first position, and the processing circuit is a first processing circuit; the image forming apparatus comprises a second separation control member; the image forming apparatus is to receive a second cartridge to be alternated between a third configuration that inhibits the second cartridge from providing second toner to the image forming apparatus and a fourth configuration that allows for the second cartridge to provide the second toner to the image forming apparatus, the second cartridge comprising: a second sensor to generate second sensor data indicating a second position of the second separation control member of the image forming apparatus; and a second processing circuit to adjust the configuration of the second cartridge based on the second sensor data; and the first toner is a first color and the second toner is a second color. -9433-2367.1Atty. Dkt. No. 8634723813. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the cartridge further comprises: an actuator to adjust the cartridge between the first configuration and the second configuration; wherein the processing circuit operates the actuator to adjust the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration.

14. The image forming apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cartridge comprises a battery to store electrical energy, and wherein the actuator is an electric actuator electrically coupled to the battery such that the actuator receives the electrical energy from the battery to operate the cartridge from the first configuration to the second configuration.

15. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor is positioned at least a distance away from the separation control member. -9433-2367.1

Images