Abstract: A method for reducing a time-to-first-print in an imaging device that includes tracking a set of sleep times between print jobs in an imaging device and determining whether a predetermined number of sleep times in the set of sleep times is reached; and upon a positive determination, identifying a first and a second most recent sleep times stored among the set of sleep times tracked; determining whether each of the first sleep time and the second sleep time is less than a predetermined threshold; and upon a positive determination, determining a value based on an average of the first sleep time and the second sleep time. The value is used as a period of time that the imaging device is powered at a snooze mode prior to transitioning to a sleep mode, and when a print job is received in the imaging device while in the snooze mode, the time-to-first-print from the snooze mode is faster than the time-to-first print when the print job is received while in the sleep mode.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of determining a width of a media sheet moving along a media path of an image forming apparatus. The methods may include moving the media sheet along the media path and past a media width sensor that includes a shaft with a first upstream paddle positioned away from a reference location of the media path and a second downstream paddle positioned in closer proximity to the reference location. The first paddle is positioned a first distance from the first sensor, and the second paddle is positioned a second distance from the first sensor. As the media sheet moves along the media path, a first signal may be received when the media sheet contacts the first sensor, and a second signal when the media sheet is at the media width sensor. The distance the media sheet travels between contacting the first sensor and being at the second sensor may be determined.

Abstract: In an imaging device, methods for managing replacement of supply items include providing users with one or more adjustable variables so they may balance individual image quality needs versus economic costs of purchasing new supply items. Representatively, users are provided with a first adjustable variable indicative of a countdown value of media remaining to be imaged before the imaging device ceases imaging and a second adjustable variable indicative of an amount of imaging material remaining that corresponds to a low warning threshold. Upon reaching the low warning threshold, users are messaged with the countdown value. Thereafter, the first variable is decremented per each media imaged and the decremented value is displayed to users to indicate a number of pages remaining before device shutdown (or before needing to replace the supply item).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include scaling imaging of an electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, to obtain various media output speeds (in pages per minute). A scanning unit has a substantially fixed scan rate during printing and reflects a laser beam onto a photoconductor to create a latent image at a first resolution. A media is advanced into contact with the latent image at a predetermined printing process speed to obtain a printed image output of the latent image at a size corresponding to a size (job resolution) of the image input data, but at a resolution different than the resolution of the image data input. A controller alters data used to create the latent image. Techniques for altering resolution include processing relative to a raster image processor to stretch one resolution dimension of the bitmap into a larger resolution dimension.

Abstract: A laser printer (10) having a fuser (220) to fix toner on sheets (214) in which the fuser element (225) heated by the power supply (121) of the printer is not capable of drawing enough power from the power supply to cause flicker. Thick or heavy media require more heat energy than paper. At cold-fuser start, the use of thick or heavy media is identified to the control system (14) and the control system adds a predetermined period to the normal delay to start printing. This invention may be implemented by a small addition to control software.

Abstract: A laser printer (10) having a fuser (220) to fix toner on sheets (214) in which the fuser element (225) heated by the power supply (121) of the printer is not capable of drawing enough power from the power supply to cause flicker. Thick or heavy media require more heat energy than paper. At cold-fuser start, the use of thick or heavy media is identified to the control system (14) and the control system adds a predetermined period to the normal delay to start printing. This invention may be implemented by a small addition to control software.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing apparatus which eliminates overheating of the fuser belt when narrow gauge print media is utilized is disclosed. In this apparatus, a detection means determines whether a sheet of narrow gauge recording medium is being fed into the printer. When it is, the fuser heater is deactivated turned to a present lower temperature or is turned off when the narrow gauge recording medium exits the fusing nip. A preferred apparatus additionally contains means which measures the temperature of the heater once it is deactivated at predetermined intervals and, for each measurement, determines the amount of time required to bring the heater back up to the optimum fusing temperature. The preferred embodiment also includes a means for determining the amount of time it will take for the next piece of print media to travel from its current position to the fuser nip.

Abstract: A system and method employing a control algorithm that implements a closed loop ramp up of fuser temperature by traversing an arc of discrete temperatures leading to the steady state temperature. Ramping is the transient period beginning when the fuser heater is turned on, to the time when the fuser reaches the desired steady state temperature.

Abstract: A driven gear (3a), a gear (11a) to a rotary solenoid (15a) and an output drive gear (19a) are mounted to rotate together, preferably as one part turning on a stationary shaft (7a). The driven gear and the output drive gear have disengagement sectors (5a and 20a). Activation of the solenoid turns the driven gear into engagement with a normally turning drive gear (1a). Shortly after the sector on the output gear is cleared, and the load (27) is driven through engagement with driven gear (23a). After one cycle, the detent force of the solenoid positions the sector 5a so that engagement is terminated. Because the rotary solenoid need only move the gears 3a, 11a and 19a, the size of the load is immaterial to the physical requirements for the solenoid and its reliability of operation.

Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting the print head gap of an impact printer, particularly for paper stocks of differing thicknesses and multi-layer forms, provides for measurement of an absolute distance between an undeflected platen position and a home position of the print head. Paper stock thickness is measured by measuring the distance to the home position from a position of the print head when a predetermined force is exerted by the print head against the platen. Since a similar measurement is made when paper stock is not present in the printer and using the same force against the platen, platen flexure is removed as a source of error and a standardized force is available for compression of the paper stock during measurement. Improved accuracy is achieved at high speed while avoiding the use of position encoder/decoder arrangements. A wider range of manufacturing variations in printer geometry and rigidity can be accommodated with uniformly improved print quality.

Abstract: A low-noise, paper pick or other single cycle mechanism is obtained by employing a rotary solenoid (15) which has a force to a detent position which may be overcome by force from a drive roller (1). In the detent position the drive roller faces a blank sector (5) of a gear (3) which is integral with a shaft (7), which is the shaft to be turned. An electrical control signal to the solenoid rotates gear (3) through gear (13), which is directly driven by the solenoid, and which turns gear (11) on the shaft. The drive gear overcomes the force of the solenoid until it is disengaged after one cycle, at which time the detent force of the solenoid holds the mechanism in its detent position.