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: A system and method for operating an imaging device is shown. The method includes detecting the malfunction when the imaging device is in a normal mode of operation; causing the imaging device to enter a reduced function mode following the detecting; enabling only one or more functions of the imaging device when in the reduced function mode, the one or more functions being less than all of the functions available when the imaging device is in the normal mode of operation. The one or more functions have operating points when the imaging device is in the reduced function mode that are different than the operating points of the one or more functions when the imaging device is in the normal mode of operation.

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: Methods for picking a following sheet of media before the prior sheet of media has been detected exiting a media input tray in an imaging apparatus to increase media throughput. The methods may further include processes for shifting an image area to a shingled sheet of media without having to stop the imaging process.

Abstract: A scanning system for use in an imaging apparatus includes a mirror assembly having a rotating mirror with a plurality of facets, a motor operatively coupled to the rotating mirror and closed loop control circuitry coupled to the motor. The mirror assembly generates a lock signal indicative of whether or not the motor is substantially at a target speed. A controller is communicatively coupled to the mirror assembly for controlling rotation of the rotating mirror, the controller generating a reference signal received by the motor assembly indicating the target speed for the rotating mirror. The reference signal is varied based at least in part upon an acceleration profile that accelerates the motor so that overshoot of the target speed is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a fuser assembly including a heat transfer member and a backup member positioned to engage the heat transfer member thereby defining a fusing nip therewith. A motor is coupled to the backup member for rotating the backup member. A controller coupled to the fuser assembly controls the motor using time-based commutation for a period of time to rotate the backup member at a slower speed relative to a speed for performing a toner fusing operation. In memory, at least one lookup table is stored having entries which, when sequentially accessed by the controller during the time-based commutation, are used to generate one or more drive signals for the motor to cause current flowing through windings of the motor to have a substantially sinusoidal waveform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a relatively short period of time for a fuser assembly to be ready to perform a fusing operation. Included is a fusing assembly having a heat transfer member and a backup member positioned to engage the heat transfer member so as to define a fusing nip therewith; and a controller coupled to the fuser assembly, wherein during a period of time when the fuser assembly is not performing a fusing operation, the controller causes the backup member to rotate at one or more relatively slow speeds relative to a fusing speed of the fuser assembly while activating the heat transfer member. At least one of a beginning and an ending of the period of time being based upon an actual temperature in the fuser assembly.

Abstract: A method for providing an indication of when a replaceable unit of an image forming device will require replacement according to one example embodiment includes determining an average usage of the replaceable unit per day. Whether the replaceable unit is near the end of its life is also determined. After determining that the replaceable unit is near the end of its life, a number of days remaining until the replaceable unit will require replacement is displayed on a display screen of at least one of the image forming device and a device in electronic communication with the image forming device based on the determined average usage of the replaceable unit per day.

Abstract: A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device, the fuser assembly including an integrated circuit chip having memory which has stored therein attribute data. The memory provides the attribute data for use in controlling the fuser assembly during fusing operations throughout the life of the fuser assembly. The attribute data includes a table of values corresponding to fusing temperatures for the fuser assembly, the fusing temperatures decreasing throughout the life of the fuser assembly to account for aging or wear of at least one component of the fuser assembly.

Abstract: A method for providing a page countdown for a replaceable unit of an image forming device according to one embodiment includes calculating a number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of its life. The calculated number of pages remaining until the replaceable unit will reach the end of life is displayed on a display screen. After the calculated number of pages remaining is displayed, the displayed number of pages remaining is decreased by one for each page printed, the number of pages remaining is recalculated and a discrepancy between the displayed number of pages remaining and the recalculated number of pages remaining is tracked. If the discrepancy exceeds a predetermined error threshold, the recalculated number of pages remaining is displayed and the displayed number of pages remaining continues to be decreased by one for each page printed from the displayed recalculated number of pages remaining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a relatively short period of time for a fuser assembly to be ready to perform a fusing operation. Included is a fusing assembly having a heat transfer member and a backup member positioned to engage the heat transfer member so as to define a fusing nip therewith; and a controller coupled to the fuser assembly, wherein during a period of time when the fuser assembly is not performing a fusing operation, the controller activates the heat transfer member while causing the backup member to rotate at one or more relatively slow speeds relative to a fusing speed of the fuser assembly.

Abstract: An imaging device having a printhead unit which includes a plurality of independently controllable light sources, each light source generating a light beam when activated; a photoconductive surface operable at a plurality of image transfer rates; a scanning device having one or more deflecting surfaces, the scanning device arranged to direct the light beams so as to sweep in at least one scan direction across a surface such that, for each sweep, scan lines written by the light beams are spaced from one another on the photoconductive surface in a process direction that is nominally orthogonal to the scan direction; and a controller configured to selectively activate any number of the light sources for use during a print operation to write image data along scan lines on the photoconductive surface, wherein a rotational velocity of the scanning device is selected and the number of the light sources activated based upon at least one selected operating parameter for the imaging device.

Abstract: A scanning system for use in an imaging apparatus includes a mirror assembly having a rotating mirror with a plurality of facets, a motor operatively coupled to the rotating mirror and closed loop control circuitry coupled to the motor. The minor assembly generates a lock signal indicative of whether or not the motor is substantially at a target speed. A controller is communicatively coupled to the minor assembly for controlling rotation of the rotating mirror, the controller generating a reference signal received by the motor assembly indicating the target speed for the rotating minor. The reference signal is varied based at least in part upon an acceleration profile that accelerates the motor so that overshoot of the target speed is substantially reduced.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for incorporating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology into a printing device that may provide an assortment of functional performance capabilities. This may include the ability to scan media information such as text and/or images along with RFID identifier information and process, copy and/or forward such text media and/or identifier information to a remote location.

Abstract: Generally, an imaging device is capable of applying respective EP engine settings to different zones within a page of media. In an example embodiment, a method includes printing in first and second zones on a page of media using first and second EP engine settings that are respectively associated with the first and second zones. The imaging device prints in the first zone on the page of media based on a first EP engine setting that is associated with the first zone. The imaging device switches from the first zone on the page of media to the second zone on the page of media responsive to a size indicator. The imaging device prints in the second zone on the page of media based on a second EP engine setting that is associated with the second zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and/or apparatus for determining whether to select media for printing. This may be accomplished by identifying a media signature present in the media and identifying a data stream signature that may be printed on the media. A comparison may then be made as between the data stream signature and the media signature. Based upon the comparison media may then be selected for printing.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging apparatus includes a feeding tray to feed a media sheet along a feed path in a process direction; a media sensor disposed on the feed path and triggered or changes state when a leading edge and a trailing edge of the media sheet arrives at the media sensor; an image carrying member adjacent to the media sensor and carrying a toner image thereon, and an transfer roll abuttingly coupled with the image carrying member to facilitate the transfer of the toner image from the image carrying member onto the media sheet. The electrophotographic imaging apparatus includes a controller for adjusting the setting of transfer roll voltage values based on the location of an image area on the media sheet. Further disclosed is a method for reproducing an original image on the media sheet using variable timing of transfer voltages.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an image transfer device, a first motor, a redrive section and a duplexing section. The first motor is drivingly connected to the image transfer device. The reversible redrive section is downstream from the image transfer device, and the reversible redrive section includes a second motor. The duplexing section includes a third motor. The duplexing section is positioned to receive media from the redrive section. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are each independently controlled.

Abstract: A system and a method for improving total job time without needing to know a job size. An engine dynamically decides which process speed to warm up to based on a number and size of pages currently submitted to the engine, and thus deliver the best job time dynamically. The engine also takes into account its condition and a condition of a fuser, and dynamically selects a substantially optimum point of operation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having RFID tags associated with wearable components of a system to track the usage and wear levels of the wearable components. The RFID tags can be antennas formed from conductive material impregnated in the wear components such that the RFID tags are worn with the wearing of the wear components. The RFID tags may also be RFID chip tags having memory for storing information, a portion of which is updated in real time. The presence or absence of the impregnated antenna RFID tags or the updated information stored in the chip tags may be used to track usage and wear level of the wear components.