Abstract: An active steering system and method thereof include a drive source, a steering roller, a steering motor, a steering controller, a belt edge sensor, and a main controller. The steering roller adjusts a belt in a widthwise direction, which is rotated by the drive source. The steering motor drives the steering roller, and the steering controller controls the steering motor. The belt edge sensor detects a belt edge signal according to a position of the belt in the widthwise direction. The main controller controls the drive source and/or the steering controller where the belt is rotated based on a balance point at which an amount of change of at least one value of the belt edge signal and a step number of the steering motor is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fusing temperature of an electrophotographic imaging apparatus includes controlling the fusing temperature of a fusing roller which is subject to a delayed response to heating due to a rubber layer formed on a surface of the fusing roller with a predetermined thickness. In the method, after the fusing temperature of the fusing roller has reached a predetermined target fusing temperature, a power corresponding to an offset value or an offset power supply ratio is supplied to a heater for a predetermined power control period or a predetermined offset control period to maintain the fusing temperature of the fusing roller. A thermal loss in the fusing apparatus during a print mode is compensated by existing power control methods, and the fusing temperature of the fusing roller is maintained at the target fusing temperature by periodically supplying a predetermined amount of the power to the heater, so that a quality of an image fused onto a recording medium is improved.

Abstract: A temperature control method for use in a fusing device of image forming apparatus having a fusing roller and a heater heating the fusing roller, including: sensing a surface temperature T of the fusing roller at one of when the image forming apparatus is turned on, when the image forming apparatus begins a normal operation from a power saving operation, and when a cover of the image forming apparatus is closed after being opened; comparing the sensed surface temperature T of the fusing roller with a set temperature; driving the heater until the surface temperature T reaches a first target temperature Tt1 when the sensed surface temperature T is below the set temperature; and driving the heater until the surface temperature T reaches a second target temperature Tt2 when the sensed surface temperature T is over the set temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an image input and a recording-medium supply of an image forming apparatus. An aspect of the method comprises periodically generating synchronized demand of an image input into the exposure unit and supplying of a recording medium to the transfer unit, and inputting an image into the exposure unit according to the synchronized demand on image input and supplying a recording medium to the transfer unit according to the synchronized demand on recording-medium supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a belt is provided. Included is a method and apparatus for searching for a home position of a steering roller for adjusting a position of the belt in a widthwise direction of the belt and placing the steering roller in the home position. The steering roller is moved from the home position to a balance point, in which an amount of variation of the belt in the widthwise direction is less than a predetermined value, or moved to a position of the steering roller that corresponds to a previously driven final position of the belt. The belt is driven in this state such that the amount of initial weaving of the belt is reduced. Thus, an amount of initial weaving of the belt when the belt is driven can be minimized such that a time to obtain images with suitable registration can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing a photosensitive belt of a printer, and a method of communicating belt-related information between a belt cartridge and the printer, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a belt cartridge adapted to receive a photosensitive belt so that the photosensitive belt can be installed at a belt unit of the printer, a first antenna installed on the belt cartridge, a second antenna installed on the printer and connected to a controller which controls the printer, and a component identifying module installed on the belt cartridge and connected to the first antenna so that the component-identifying module can transmit the information recorded therein to the second antenna connected to the controller the, and record information received from the controller via the second antenna.

Abstract: An active steering system and method thereof include a drive source, a steering roller, a steering mother, a steering controller, a belt edge sensor, and a main controller. The steering roller adjusts a belt in a widthwise direction, which is rotated by the drive source. The steering motor drives the steering roller, and the steering controller controls the steering motor. The belt edge sensor detects a belt edge signal according to a position of the belt in the widthwise direction. The main controller controls the drive source and/or the steering controller where the belt is rotated based on a balance point at which an amount of change of at least one value of the belt edge signal and a step number of the steering motor is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of a replacement component used in a printer communicating with a controller of the printer, and a method of a controller of a printer communicating with a replacement component used in a printer are disclosed. The method of the replacement component communicating with the controller includes the steps of: a memory module of the replacement component deciding whether or not a predetermined password signal is in information received via a communication interface; and the memory module communicating with the controller of the printer when the password signal is in the received information. Since the replacement component for a printer is adapted to not communicate with a controller which does not transmit a preset communication allowing signal, the characteristic information of the replacement component is prevented from being leaked. In addition, it can be prevented that a bad component is installed and used in the printer.

Abstract: An ink supply apparatus of a printer includes an ink supply container for containing ink which includes a memory module for recording information about the ink contained in the ink supply container, a plurality of exposed terminals formed at the outer circumferential surface of the ink supply container, and a plurality of internal signal lines for internally connecting the exposed terminals and the memory module. Further, an ink injection portion, at which the ink supply container is installed, is provided at the printer and includes a connection terminal portion electrically connected to the exposed terminals when the ink supply container is installed. When the ink supply container is installed at the ink injection portion, information can be exchanged between the controller and the memory module.

Abstract: A method of a replacement component used in a printer communicating with a controller of the printer, and a method of a controller of a printer communicating with a replacement component used in a printer are disclosed. The method of the replacement component communicating with the controller includes the steps of: a memory module of the replacement component deciding whether or not a predetermined password signal is in information received via a communication interface; and the memory module communicating with the controller of the printer when the password signal is in the received information. Since the replacement component for a printer is adapted to not communicate with a controller which does not transmit a preset communication allowing signal, the characteristic information of the replacement component is prevented from being leaked. In addition, it can be prevented that a bad component is installed and used in the printer.

Abstract: An ink supply apparatus of a printer includes an ink supply container for containing ink which includes a memory module for recording information about the ink contained in the ink supply container, a plurality of exposed terminals formed at the outer circumferential surface of the ink supply container, and a plurality of internal signal lines for internally connecting the exposed terminals and the memory module. Further, an ink injection portion, at which the ink supply container is installed, is provided at the printer and includes a connection terminal portion electrically connected to the exposed terminals when the ink supply container is installed. When the ink supply container is installed at the ink injection portion, information can be exchanged between the controller and the memory module.

Abstract: A color printer capable of detecting and correcting color registration error.

Abstract: An optical scanning system of a printer, which includes: a plurality of optical scanning units which scan line in parallel onto a circulating photoreceptor belt; a plurality of photodetector for detecting light emitted from each optical scanning unit, to output pulse signals according to the detection; a mark sensor for detecting the pass of a mark formed in the photoreceptor belt at a set position, and for outputting a reference path detection signal according to the detection of the mark; a page synchronization signal generation unit for counting the number of pulse signals output from one selectedphotodetector in synchronism with the reference path detection signal input thereto, and for generating page synchronization signals for each optical scanning unit whenever the count value reaches a page synchronization target value for each optical scanning unit, the page synchronization target values have been set according to a point in time at which each page area set in the photoreceptor belt reaches the scan

Abstract: A method for controlling concentration of a developer in a developing reservoir of a wet printer includes the steps of counting image data output from a system controller to a laser scanning unit to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive medium, calculating the amount of a consumed toner supplied from the developing reservoir to the photosensitive belt according to a value counted in the counting step of formation of the electrostatic latent image, and supplying toner from a toner supplying unit into the developing reservoir to refill the amount of the consumed toner calculated in the calculation step. The developer also includes a liquid carrier element. Thus, the ratio of the toner to liquid carrier element in the developing reservoir may be maintained within a predetermined range, without having an additional apparatus for measuring the concentration of the developer.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic printer having an improved drying unit is provided. The liquid electrophotographic printer includes a photoreceptor belt circulating and supported by a plurality of rollers on an endless track, for forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor belt, a development unit for supplying a developer liquid to the photoreceptor belt and developing the latent electrostatic image into a toner image, a drying unit for drying the photoreceptor belt on which the toner image is formed, and a transfer unit for transferring the toner image to a sheet of paper, wherein the drying unit includes a heating device installed in the vicinity of one surface of the photoreceptor belt for heating the photoreceptor belt on which the toner image is formed to evaporate a carrier sticking to the photoreceptor belt, and a collector installed in the vicinity of another surface of the photoreceptor belt for collecting the carrier evaporated by the heating device.