Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus and an ion generating apparatus, which generate sufficient amount of cations in a short period of time and also maintain the amount of ions generated at a level that is harmless to the human body. The sterilizing apparatus and the ion generating apparatus optimize the position of an electrode to maximize the generation of active hydrogen. The ion generating apparatus includes a first electrode for generating hydrogen ions and a second electrode located such that the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a designated distance for generating electrons and superoxide anions. The hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react with the electrons generated from the second electrode to produce hydrogen atoms, and the hydrogen atoms react with the superoxide anions generated from the second electrode to sterilize the air.

Abstract: An ion generating apparatus for generating anions and cations, which can selectively control generation of cations and anions while maximizing the amount of the generated ions, and an air cleaning apparatus using the same. The ion generating apparatus includes a power supply, a cation generator to generate cations and ozone, using a voltage supplied from the power supply, an anion generator separated from the cation generator to generate anions, using the voltage supplied from the power supply, and a switching unit to switch on/off the supply of the voltage from the power supply to the cation generator and/or the anion generator. If necessary, the ion generating apparatus further includes an ion generation controller to control the switching unit, and thus, to control driving of the cation generator and/or anion generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fixing condition of a printer according to the size and type of paper to be printed in order to improve print quality. The apparatus and method include setting a fixing condition according to a selected paper property of a printer driver, measuring a resistance of a paper being printed, comparing a paper property corresponding to the measured paper resistance with the selected paper property of the printer driver, and resetting the fixing condition according to the paper property corresponding to the measured paper resistance if the paper property corresponding to the measured paper resistance is different from the selected paper condition of the printer driver.