Abstract: An electrophotography hard copy apparatus uses automated sensing devices to provide current condition signals and operational feedback signals to optimize subsystem operational parameters. Monitoring of ambient environmental conditions, subsystem operational parameters, and a print medium from input through output and the final printed text or image for predetermined characteristics is used to generate signals indicative of conditions that can be altered by commands to the apparatus' subsystems to optimize print quality.

Abstract: In an imaging system including at least one imaging medium transfer surface, an apparatus for detecting defects on the transfer surface is provided. The apparatus includes a scanner mechanism adapted and constructed to generate signals corresponding to a condition of the transfer surface. A processor is also provided. The processor is operatively connected to the scanner mechanism, and is adapted and constructed to receive and interpret signals from the scanner mechanism. In an imaging system including at least one imaging medium transfer surface, a method of detecting defects on an image medium surface is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a scanning mechanism is provided. The scanning mechanism is adapted and constructed to generate signals corresponding to a condition of the transfer surface within the imaging system. Next, a defect is detected on the transfer surface by analyzing the signals generated by the scanning mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image forming devices, fusing assemblies and methods of forming an image. According to one aspect of the invention, an image forming device includes a housing including a media path configured to guide media in a downstream direction within the housing; an input device configured to receive an image; a developing assembly adjacent the media path and configured to provide developing material; a sensor adjacent the media path and configured to determine a qualitative characteristic of the media and to generate a signal indicative of the qualitative characteristic; and a fuser adjacent the media path and configured to adjust a fusing parameter responsive to the signal and to fuse the developing material corresponding to the image to the media and according to the fusing parameter.

Abstract: Printing on a large number of units of relatively narrow media accelerates wear on a photoconductor in an electrophotographic imaging device, such as an electrophotographic printer. The accelerated wear results from movement of a cleaning blade over a surface of the photoconductor on regions of the photoconductor outside a width of the media where toner is not available as a lubricant. The accelerated wear also results from exposure of the surface of the photoconductor on regions of the photoconductor outside the width of the media to the electric fields supplied by a transfer roller. The accelerated wear can cause excessive background development on the photoconductor. Background development toner not transferred to the media is collected in the waste hopper. Excessive background development can lead to leakage of toner from the waste hopper into the electrophotographic printer.

Abstract: As print media advances through a paper path of an electrophotographic printer, the print media vibrates and a sympathetic response is induced in elements in contact with the print media. Rough print media vibrates more than smooth print media does. The sympathetic response induced by the print media advancing through the paper path is measured. A fuser temperature is selected using the measured sympathetic response. A higher fuser temperature is selected for print media inducing a larger sympathetic response and a lower fuser temperature is selected for print media inducing a smaller sympathetic response.