Abstract: A printer is provided including a substrate transport apparatus; a pick mechanism; a fuser assembly having a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater, a backup member for engaging the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor associated with the backup member for sensing the temperature of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the substrate transport apparatus, the pick mechanism, the heater and the temperature sensor. The controller causes the pick mechanism to remove substrates from the storage tray at a first pick rate when the backup member is at a temperature within a first backup member index temperature range and at different pick rate less than the first pick rate when the backup member is at a temperature greater than the first backup member index temperature range.

Abstract: An electronics device including a haptic-based user interface, including a touch screen; an actuator coupled to the touch screen for selectively vibrating the touch screen responsive to the touch screen being depressed; and a visual display panel. The user interface further includes a plurality of suspension members disposed between the touch screen and the display panel and a plurality of seal members disposed between the suspension members such that the suspension members and the seal members define a volume between the touch panel and the visual display panel. The suspension and seal members may be formed from compressible material, such as foam materials. By separating the visual display panel from the touch panel with the suspension members in this way, vibrations from the actuator that are experienced by the visual display panel are reduced, thereby extending the useful life of the visual display panel.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly for a color EP printer that quickly warms up the fusing belt before allowing a first sheet of print media to run through the printing stations at the fuser assembly. The warm-up cycle includes: (1) a preheat mode, (2) a first portion of a belt temperature warm-up mode, (3) a second portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode, and (4) a tight belt temperature control mode. The preheat mode operates the fuser's heater at less than full power, and prevents the fuser belt from rotating. The first portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode operates the heater at full power, and the fuser belt begins rotating, but not at its full speed. The second portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode operates the heater at less than full power, and the fuser belt begins rotating at its full speed.

Abstract: A printer is provided comprising substrate transport apparatus for moving substrates along a substrate path through the printer; a fuser assembly comprising a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater to heat the belt, a backup member adapted to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a portion of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor. Based on signals generated by the temperature sensor, the controller determines whether a substrate moving along the substrate path has been contacted by the backup member portion.

Abstract: An electronics device including a haptic-based user interface, including a touch screen; an actuator coupled to the touch screen for selectively vibrating the touch screen responsive to the touch screen being depressed; and a visual display panel. The user interface further includes a plurality of suspension members disposed between the touch screen and the display panel and a plurality of seal members disposed between the suspension members such that the suspension members and the seal members define a volume between the touch panel and the visual display panel. The suspension and seal members may be formed from compressible material, such as foam materials. By separating the visual display panel from the touch panel with the suspension members in this way, vibrations from the actuator that are experienced by the visual display panel are reduced, thereby extending the useful life of the visual display panel.

Abstract: A printer is provided, including a substrate transport apparatus for moving substrates along a substrate path; a media sensor actuated by mid-width and full substrates but not by narrow width substrates; and a fuser assembly including a belt, a heater to heat the belt, a backup member to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a portion of the backup member engaging only full width substrates. A controller is coupled to the media sensor and the temperature sensor for determining whether a substrate moving through the fuser assembly is a narrow width, mid-width or full width substrate.

Abstract: A method for setting a heater element of a fuser assembly to a consistent starting condition to achieve consistency in heating power measurement is provided. The heater element is heated to a first predefined temperature when the temperature of the heater element is less than the first predefined temperature. The temperature of the heater element is maintained within a predefined range for a predefined period of time. This sets the temperature of the heater element in the fuser assembly to a consistent starting condition. Thereafter, the heating power estimation measurement is made and heating power supplied to the fuser assembly is estimated. This controls the heating power delivered to the fuser assembly in a consistent manner.

Abstract: A printer is provided comprising substrate transport apparatus for moving substrates along a substrate path through the printer; a fuser assembly comprising a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater to heat the belt, a backup member adapted to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a portion of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor. Based on signals generated by the temperature sensor, the controller determines whether a substrate moving along the substrate path has been contacted by the backup member portion.

Abstract: A printer is provided including a reference edge, a fuser assembly, a cooling apparatus and a controller. The reference edge is adapted to be contacted by a substrate as the substrate moves along a substrate path through the printer. The fuser assembly includes a heat transfer member including a belt and a backup member. The cooling apparatus is adapted to move cooling air capable of cooling the fuser assembly. The controller is configured to activate the cooling apparatus after determining that a first end portion of the backup member opposite a second end portion of the backup member near the reference edge is at a temperature above a predefined first threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for removing toner from a belt within an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing that forms an enclosed interior space. The housing may include an inlet that leads into the interior space. A blade may be positioned in proximity to the inlet to remove the toner from the belt and direct it into the inlet. An auger may be rotationally positioned within the interior space to move the toner along a longitudinal width of the device. An agitating member may be rotationally positioned within the interior space to move the toner from the inlet towards the auger. The agitating member may include a flexible arm that contacts against at least one of the blade and the auger during rotation.

Abstract: A method for setting a heater element of a fuser assembly to a consistent starting condition to achieve consistency in heating power measurement is provided. The heater element is heated to a first predefined temperature when the temperature of the heater element is less than the first predefined temperature. The temperature of the heater element is maintained within a predefined range for a predefined period of time. This sets the temperature of the heater element in the fuser assembly to a consistent starting condition. Thereafter, the heating power estimation measurement is made and heating power supplied to the fuser assembly is estimated. This controls the heating power delivered to the fuser assembly in a consistent manner.

Abstract: A fuser assembly is provided comprising: a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater to heat the belt; a backup member adapted to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt; a temperature sensor associated with the backup member for sensing the temperature of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the heater and the temperature sensor. The controller controls the operation of the heater based on the backup member temperature.

Abstract: A printer is provided including a reference edge, a fuser assembly, a cooling apparatus and a controller. The reference edge is adapted to be contacted by a substrate as the substrate moves along a substrate path through the printer. The fuser assembly includes a heat transfer member including a belt and a backup member. The cooling apparatus is adapted to move cooling air capable of cooling the fuser assembly. The controller is configured to activate the cooling apparatus after determining that a first end portion of the backup member opposite a second end portion of the backup member near the reference edge is at a temperature above a predefined first threshold temperature.

Abstract: A printer is provided comprising substrate transport apparatus for moving substrates through the printer along a substrate path; a pick mechanism for removing substrates from a storage tray and feeding the substrates to the substrate transport apparatus; a fuser assembly comprising a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater to heat the belt, a backup member adapted to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor associated with the backup member for sensing the temperature of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the substrate transport apparatus, the pick mechanism, the heater and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A printer is provided comprising substrate transport apparatus for moving substrates along a substrate path through the printer; a fuser assembly comprising a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater to heat the belt, a backup member adapted to engage the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of a portion of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor. Based on signals generated by the temperature sensor, the controller determines whether a substrate moving along the substrate path has been contacted by the backup member portion.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly for a color EP printer that quickly warms up the fusing belt before allowing a first sheet of print media to run through the printing stations at the fuser assembly. The warm-up cycle includes: (1) a preheat mode, (2) a first portion of a belt temperature warm-up mode, (3) a second portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode, and (4) a tight belt temperature control mode. The preheat mode operates the fuser's heater at less than full power, and prevents the fuser belt from rotating. The first portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode operates the heater at full power, and the fuser belt begins rotating, but not at its full speed. The second portion of the belt temperature warm-up mode operates the heater at less than full power, and the fuser belt begins rotating at its full speed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices and methods for removing toner from a belt within an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing that forms an enclosed interior space. The housing may include an inlet that leads into the interior space. A blade may be positioned in proximity to the inlet to remove the toner from the belt and direct it into the inlet. An auger may be rotationally positioned within the interior space to move the toner along a longitudinal width of the device. An agitating member may be rotationally positioned within the interior space to move the toner from the inlet towards the auger. The agitating member may include a flexible arm that contacts against at least one of the blade and the auger during rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a component that exhibits a designed thermal response which may be used in an image forming apparatus. The component may include a roller that contacts a heating device such as a fuser.

Abstract: A device to regulate toner within an image forming apparatus. The regulating member has a first section and a toner regulating edge with at least one gap. The regulating member controls the amount of toner that is distributed on the surface of the toner developer roller by contacting the toner developing roller in a contact region. The gap, having at least one upper edge, may regulate toner on the toner developer roller near the contact region. The toner regulating device may prevent inadvertent toner marks that may appear on printed media.

Abstract: A nip release mechanism for a fuser of a printing device includes a movable component in the printer base frame moved by opening and closing a cover, and a follower component in the fuser which follows movement of the movable component to adjust positions of a fuser pressure roll.