Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating toner measurement in an image forming device. A toner patch is deposited onto a control surface, the toner patch reflecting light in a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. A toner patch sensor emits light at the plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum onto the toner patch. The amount of incident light reflected from the toner patch at the plurality of wavelengths from the emitted light is measured, and used to generate measured signals indicative of the reflectivity of the toner patch. An operating parameter of the image forming device is adjusted based upon the measured signals.

Abstract: An image fixing assembly includes a heating unit having a heating element and a fusing member enclosing the heating element; a backup member; and a heat conducting member. The fusing member is configured to rotate around the heating element. Further, the fusing member is capable of being heated by the heating element. The backup member is abuttingly coupled to the fusing member for configuring a nip portion therebetween, and is capable of pressing media sheets against the fusing member, when the media sheets pass through the nip portion. The heat conducting member is capable of retractably coupling to one of the fusing member and the backup member for enabling flow of heat between the one of the fusing member and the backup member, and the heat conducting member, for reducing a thermal gradient. Further disclosed is a method for fixing images on the media sheets using the image fixing assembly.

Abstract: An image fixing assembly includes a heating unit having a heating element and a fusing member enclosing the heating element; a backup member; and a heat conducting member. The fusing member is configured to rotate around the heating element. Further, the fusing member is capable of being heated by the heating element. The backup member is abuttingly coupled to the fusing member for configuring a nip portion therebetween, and is capable of pressing media sheets against the fusing member, when the media sheets pass through the nip portion. The heat conducting member is capable of retractably coupling to one of the fusing member and the backup member for enabling flow of heat between the one of the fusing member and the backup member, and the heat conducting member, for reducing a thermal gradient. Further disclosed is a method for fixing images on the media sheets using the image fixing assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating toner measurement in an image forming device. A toner patch is deposited onto a control surface, the toner patch reflecting light in a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. A toner patch sensor emits light at the plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum onto the toner patch. The amount of incident light reflected from the toner patch at the plurality of wavelengths from the emitted light is measured, and used to generate measured signals indicative of the reflectivity of the toner patch. An operating parameter of the image forming device is adjusted based upon the measured signals.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuser for duplex printing includes equilibrating the fuser roll surface temperatures by rotating the rolls at a speed faster than the process speed between fusing an image on a first side of the media and fusing an image on a second side of the media.

Abstract: A resistive heater adapted for heating a fuser belt is provided. The heater comprises a substrate, a first resistive trace formed over the substrate, and a second resistive trace formed so as to at least partially overlap the first resistive trace.

Abstract: A method of determining a relative speed between two separately driven members in an image forming apparatus, includes the steps of: transporting a print medium using a print media transport assembly including a first nip, the print media transport assembly operable at a first transport speed; driving a rotatable member associated with a second nip at a second transport speed which is independent from the first transport speed; printing a first image on the print medium when the print medium is in at least one of the first nip and the second nip; printing a second image on the print medium when the print medium is in each of the first nip and the second nip, the second image overlapping the first image; detecting a moiré pattern caused by the first image and the second image; and determining a speed relationship between the first transport speed and the second transport speed, dependent upon the detected moiré pattern.

Abstract: A method of determining a relative speed between two separately driven members in an image forming apparatus, includes the steps of: transporting a print medium using a print media transport assembly including an exit nip, the print media transport assembly operable at a first transport speed; driving a rotatable member associated with an entrance nip using an electric motor at a second transport speed which is independent from the first transport speed; transferring the print medium from the exit nip to the entrance nip; detecting an electrical characteristic of the motor when the print medium is present in each of the exit nip and the entrance nip; and determining a relative speed between the first transport speed and the second transport speed.

Abstract: A method of operating an image forming apparatus includes the steps of: storing information in a memory located in a fuser assembly; and changing at least one operating characteristic of the image forming apparatus based upon the stored information. In a more particular example of the present invention, a method of operating an electrophotographic printer includes the steps of: storing information in a memory located in a fuser assembly; installing the fuser assembly in the printer; and controlling operation of the fuser assembly using a controller in the printer, dependent upon the stored information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device having an arm and a sensor that can differentiate two events. The arm is pivotally mounted to move in different directions upon the occurrence of different events. A section of the arm includes a trigger section having an unequal distribution of a sensed characteristic. A first event moves the arm in a first direction that is sensed by the sensor in a first manner. A second event moves the arm in a second direction that is sensed by the sensor in a second manner. The sensor signals a controller that oversees the image forming process. Methods of operating the arm and sensor are disclosed for detecting the two separate events, and signaling the controller accordingly.

Abstract: An arm that directs media sheets along multiple paper paths of an image forming device. The arm is mounted to pivot when contacted by the media sheet to direct the sheets along the proper media paths, and divert the sheets from entering the improper media paths. A sensor positioned adjacent to the arm senses movement of the arm to determine the location and timing of the media sheets as they move along the paper paths. Sensor is operatively connected to a controller which tracks the movement of the media sheets through the image forming apparatus. The arm may further be positioned to determine the orientation of an internal part. The arm moves between first and second orientations depending upon the position of the internal part. The position of the arm is again determined by the sensor. The invention further includes methods of moving the position of the arm to determine the location of the media sheets and/or the orientation of the internal part.

Abstract: A resistive heater adapted for heating a fuser belt is provided. The heater comprises a substrate, a first resistive trace formed over the substrate, and a second resistive trace formed so as to at least partially overlap the first resistive trace.

Abstract: The invention provides a test fluid for detecting coating flaws in a coated web and a method for testing a web coating system. The test fluid includes, water, a polyol, a surfactant, a radiant energy activated tracer compound and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of an alkylene glycol and a dialkylene glycol. The test fluid is used to identify deficiencies in the web coating system so that adjustments to the web coating system may be made before assembling the coating system in an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in a laser printer has a toner reservoir or hopper in which a first paddle rotates about a fixed first axis to sweep most of the toner volume of the cartridge to agitate and push the toner out of the toner reservoir or hopper through an exit port. A second paddle is pivotally mounted on the first paddle to sweep a volume of the toner reservoir or hopper in which a portion of the longitudinal wall of the toner reservoir or hopper of the toner cartridge is non-circular so as to produce a reduced cross section in the toner reservoir or hopper. The second paddle also initially engages the curved portion of the inner surface of the longitudinal wall of the toner reservoir or hopper and preferably has a tear drop cross section.