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: A method and apparatus for handling a time based error condition in an imaging apparatus. The method includes transporting a first media sheet from the media input tray towards the transfer nip of the imaging apparatus; and determining, when the first media sheet reaches a predetermined point in the media path, whether the print engine of the imaging apparatus is ready to transfer a first image of the plurality of images to the media sheet at the transfer nip. Upon a determination that the print engine is not ready, the first media sheet is transported through the transfer nip without transferring the first image thereto, until the first media sheet is placed in the output area, and a second media sheet is transported to the transfer nip, a first image is transferred to the second media sheet and the second media to sheet is transported to the output area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling a time based error condition in an imaging apparatus. The method includes transporting a first media sheet from the media input tray towards the transfer nip of the imaging apparatus; and determining, when the first media sheet reaches a predetermined point in the media path, whether the print engine of the imaging apparatus is ready to transfer a first image of the plurality of images to the media sheet at the transfer nip. Upon a determination that the print engine is not ready, the first media sheet is transported through the transfer nip without transferring the first image thereto, until the first media sheet is placed in the output area, and a second media sheet is transported to the transfer nip, a first image is transferred to the second media sheet and the second media sheet is transported to the output area.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic (EP) device, methods and apparatus include determining a delay of one or more sensors (hsync) to accurately know when to start the process of scanning latent images. In one aspect, the sensor includes a leading and trailing edge defined along a direction of laser beam scan travel. Determining the delay includes learning a position of a laser beam on the sensor at a time when a controller connected to the sensor receives a signal from the sensor indicating the sensor is being sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. It also includes learning a latest possible position of the laser beam along the direction of laser scan travel where the laser beam can be turned on and still have the sensor assert a signal indicating it has been sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. Bi-directionally scanning EP devices are also disclosed, including controllers, photoconductors, sensors, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include aligning printing of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine. At least first and second scan lines formed in opposite directions define a calibration page for manufacturing, servicing or end-user operation. The page includes pluralities of objects with one formed from either the first or second scan lines, but not both, and another of the objects formed from the other of the first or second scan lines, but not both. In this manner, corrections can be implemented by simply observing misalignments between the objects. Printed calibration pages also include visually or mechanically read objects for implementing corrections. In this regard, calibrating devices external to the EP device are contemplated. Objects include lines, squares or other shapes and their arrangement on a page varies. Fiducials for macro-scale observations are also contemplated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic (EP) device, methods and apparatus include determining a delay of one or more sensors (hsync) to accurately know when to start the process of scanning latent images. In one aspect, the sensor includes a leading and trailing edge defined along a direction of laser beam scan travel. Determining the delay includes learning a position of a laser beam on the sensor at a time when a controller connected to the sensor receives a signal from the sensor indicating the sensor is being sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. It also includes learning a latest possible position of the laser beam along the direction of laser scan travel where the laser beam can be turned on and still have the sensor assert a signal indicating it has been sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. Bi-directionally scanning EP devices are also disclosed, including controllers, photoconductors, sensors, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic (EP) device, methods and apparatus include determining a delay of one or more sensors (hsync) to accurately know when to start the process of scanning latent images. In one aspect, the sensor includes a leading and trailing edge defined along a direction of laser beam scan travel. Determining the delay includes learning a position of a laser beam on the sensor at a time when a controller connected to the sensor receives a signal from the sensor indicating the sensor is being sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. It also includes learning a latest possible position of the laser beam along the direction of laser scan travel where the laser beam can be turned on and still have the sensor assert a signal indicating it has been sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. Bi-directionally scanning EP devices are also disclosed, including controllers, photoconductors, sensors, etc.

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: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to ambient pressure in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion occurs per air density implicated by temperature and pressure, where the pressure changes occurring especially from altitude changes. During use, a drive signal, such as a pulse train, moves the galvanometer or oscillator at or near its resonant frequency. Based on a parameter of the drive signal, such as pulse width, the ambient pressure can be made known. In general, a high-pressure environment requires a relatively longer pulse width to resonate the galvanometer or oscillator in comparison to a shorter pulse width for a low-pressure environment. Corrections to print quality stem from the determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include improving print quality of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine, according to either or both of ambient pressure and temperature in which operated. A moving galvanometer or oscillator reflects a laser beam to create scan lines of a latent image in opposite directions. A damping of the motion of the galvanometer or oscillator occurs per the pressure and temperature and is, thus, characterized. During use, the actual ambient pressure and temperature are obtained and correlated to the characterization. Corrections to improve print quality then occur according to the characterization. Certain corrections include producing the latent image with a signal altered from an image data input signal. Delaying contemplates fractions of pixels and whether a left or right half or a forward or reverse scan line of the image is under consideration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include aligning printing of a bi-directionally scanning electrophotographic (EP) device, such as a laser printer or copy machine. At least first and second scan lines formed in opposite directions define a calibration page for manufacturing, servicing or end-user operation. The page includes pluralities of objects with one formed from either the first or second scan lines, but not both, and another of the objects formed from the other of the first or second scan lines, but not both. In this manner, corrections can be implemented by simply observing misalignments between the objects. Printed calibration pages also include visually or mechanically read objects for implementing corrections. In this regard, calibrating devices external to the EP device are contemplated. Objects include lines, squares or other shapes and their arrangement on a page varies. Fiducials for macro-scale observations are also contemplated.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic (EP) device, methods and apparatus include determining a delay of one or more sensors (hsync) to accurately know when to start the process of scanning latent images. In one aspect, the sensor includes a leading and trailing edge defined along a direction of laser beam scan travel. Determining the delay includes learning a position of a laser beam on the sensor at a time when a controller connected to the sensor receives a signal from the sensor indicating the sensor is being sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. It also includes learning a latest possible position of the laser beam along the direction of laser scan travel where the laser beam can be turned on and still have the sensor assert a signal indicating it has been sufficiently impinged upon by the laser beam. Bi-directionally scanning EP devices are also disclosed, including controllers, photoconductors, sensors, etc.