Abstract: A method for determining the amount of media sheets in a media tray in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes raising a lift plate supporting a stack of media sheets toward a pick mechanism for feeding the media sheets by rotation of a motor in a first direction. An amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction is determined. An indication of an amount of media sheets remaining in the media tray is provided based on the determined amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of media sheets in a media tray in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes raising a lift plate supporting a stack of media sheets toward a pick mechanism for feeding the media sheets by rotation of a motor in a first direction. An amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction is determined. An indication of an amount of media sheets remaining in the media tray is provided based on the determined amount of rotation of the motor in the first direction.

Abstract: A removable media dam structure for a media input tray. The removable media dam structure is mountable in a front wall of a media tray and may contain one or more rollers for feeding media from the media input tray. The removable media dam structure allows for different roller configurations and media contact surfaces to be used for different types of media to be fed from the media input tray. In one form the removable media dam structure is mountable by a user without the use of tools.

Abstract: A printing system (250) includes a printing subsystem (255) in the form of a printer assembly (14). The printing subsystem (255) includes a printer housing (257) in which a print engine (259) resides and (261) for storing data indicating the expected orientation of labels on a sheet of RFID label media (18). The contents of memory (261) can be obtained from an end user application (270) which may supply the position data to the printing subsystem (255) in a print data stream. Pre-programmed position data is read from a radio frequency memory storage device (88) on print media (18) having one or more devices (88) embedded thereon. The expected orientation data is compared to actual orientation data in order to determine if an image to be printed on a label (20) should be registered by rotation and/or flipping of the image and/or media.

Abstract: An image forming system (210) includes an engine controller (60) and memory device (152) with a power supply (162) supporting a 220 volt, 120 volt or 100 volt level. A fuser control capability indicator (164) is read by the engine controller (60) in order to determine the fuse control capabilities supported by the power supply (162) and, in conjunction, with a geographic region indicator of the system (210), a determination is made as to the appropriate fuser control process to adopt based on the geographic region in which the system (210) is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for managing media throughput in a printing device that may incorporate a sensing device. The gaps between feeding successive sheets of media may be controlled. The printing device may operate using different feeding modes having different gaps between the sheets of media.

Abstract: A printing device (10) such as a laser printer includes a fuser assembly (200) with a fuser wiper (210) that can be removed and replaced by a user during normal maintenance to extend the useful life of the fuser assembly (200). Indicators (b0, b1) stored in a memory device (144) can be read by a print engine (36) of a printer (10) either when a print cartridge (100) is first inserted into the printer (10) or at specified times thereafter. Depending on the contents of the memory device (144), the print engine (36) may send a notification message to the printer's raster image processor (150) to cause a message to be displayed on the printer's operational/display panel (254) that informs a user the fuser wiper (210) should be replaced.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of detecting paper jams in printer, such as in the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic device. A plurality of sensors may detect the leading edge of the sheet of paper as it exits the fuser hot roll nip. The sensors may include a media exit sensor and a narrow media sensor.

Abstract: A fuser assembly is provided with an onboard memory that may be used to store information useful in determining the conditions under which the fuser assembly has been operated. Such information can be used to better understand the root cause of fuser assembly failures, and estimate remaining fuser life, etc.

Abstract: A system, method and article for adjusting the time interval between feeding of successive sheets of media in a printer or copier. The method comprises initiating a first pick signal for a sheet of the media and identifying a feed time for the sheet of media, and identifying an expected feed time for said media. The system compares feed times to an expected feed time and adjusts according to such comparison to substantially correct for slippage or other problems feeding diverse media.

Abstract: A system and method that controls the amount of energy accumulated at the collection location of a printing device to prevent image transfer or offsetting between sheets of stacked media, in particular, media of high thermal capacitance. This may be accomplished by regulating one or more of a combination of factors, including media process speed and sheet interval or pause time, while providing adequate fusing of the toner and an efficient printing operation.

Abstract: A control system for a cooling fan of a laser printer that enables selection of a multitude of varying fan speeds based on the actual degree of usage of the printer.

Abstract: An improved laser printer is provided that keeps its fuser at a standby temperature that is somewhat raised above the ambient temperature, which allows the printer to operate more quickly (to begin printing the first page) when a print job arrives at the printer. The time needed to raise the fuser's temperature is minimized, so that other printer operations become the determining factor in the time to first print parameter. The electrical energy that energizes the fuser is provided in a form that prevents light flicker, by use of AC waveform phase control, or by use of integer half cycle control. The present invention uses closed-loop feedback control, and the type of controller is a PID controller.

Abstract: A method of operating an image forming apparatus includes the steps of: storing information in a memory located in a fuser assembly; and changing at least one operating characteristic of the image forming apparatus based upon the stored information. In a more particular example of the present invention, a method of operating an electrophotographic printer includes the steps of: storing information in a memory located in a fuser assembly; installing the fuser assembly in the printer; and controlling operation of the fuser assembly using a controller in the printer, dependent upon the stored information.

Abstract: The number of pages of a print job received at printer (10) is determined (256). If the number of pages is low, printing is conducted at intermediate speed (262). If the number of pages is higher, printing is conducted at high speed (254). If the number of pages is not known, a default is selected (260). The default often will be to print at intermediate speed because most jobs are short. If high speed printing is in progress when a job is received, the next job is printed at high speed (254). Alternatively, a predetermined number of the first pages of a job may be printed at intermediate speed.