Abstract: A media retraction and recycler system for use with image processing devices such as automatic document feeders and printers that concurrently supports two media sheets for duplex printing or scanning in a partial overlapping configuration in a variable nip pressure exit roll assembly allowing use of a media path that is shorter than the total media length of the two media sheets to facilitate an increased throughput during duplex scanning or printing operations.

Abstract: A media retraction and recycler system for use with image processing devices such as automatic document feeders and printers that concurrently supports two media sheets for duplex printing or scanning in a partial overlapping configuration in a variable nip pressure exit roll assembly allowing use of a media path that is shorter than the total media length of the two media sheets to facilitate an increased throughput during duplex scanning or printing operations.

Abstract: A system for delivering desired magnitudes of AC power to a load. A three-cycle power mode includes a 1st and 3rd cycle in which either no AC power, or full power, is delivered to the load, and a 2nd cycle in which an AC switch is triggered at a desired phase angle to deliver the desired increments of AC power during the 2nd cycle. AC power is delivered in each cycle in a manner to provide a net zero DC offset in the AC current delivered to the load. A two-cycle mode can be achieved by using the 1st and 2nd cycle, or by using the 2nd and 3rd cycles to optimize power delivery performance. A multi-cycle power delivery system can employ both the three-cycle and the two-cycle modes together to minimize the harmonic content during delivery of various power levels.

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: The present application is directed to methods and devices for moving a cartridge between engaged and disengaged positions in an image forming device. The image forming device may include a bias control arm movable between first and second positions. When the bias control arm is in one of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is reduced and the cartridge moves to the disengaged position. When the bias control arm is in the other of the first and second positions, a biasing force on the cartridge is increased and the cartridge is moved to the engaged position. In one embodiment, the bias control arm moves in a first direction, and the cartridge moves in a second direction different than the first direction.

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: The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining the presence of a module and presence of a media sheet in a media path using output signals from a single sensor in an image forming device. One embodiment includes a sensor which may be oriented in a variety of positions through interaction with the module and the media sheet. An algorithm may be used to determine the presence of the module in a module insertion path and presence of the media sheet in the media path based on the position of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for transferring images, to media sheets, of a simplex print job including a simplex image and a duplex print job including a first image and a second image received at an image forming apparatus having a duplexer and a media path having a duplex portion. During printing the second image of the duplex print job is printed on a first side of a first media sheet and the first media sheet is sent into duplexer and the duplex portion of the media path. Next, the first image of the simplex print job is transferred to a second media sheet and sent to an output bin, and finally the first image of the duplex print job is transferred to a second side of the first media sheet. The first image of the simplex print job is printed on the second media sheet while the first media sheet is traveling through the duplex portion of the media path of the image forming apparatus helping to increase image apparatus throughput.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for determining when to transition between printing color images and printing black-only images in an image forming device. A variety of factors may be evaluated in order to select a trigger value. An examined portion of a print history and an examined portion of a print queue may be evaluated to determine one or more test values. Based on a comparison of the one or more test values with the trigger value, a determination may be made whether to transition between color printing and black-only printing.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor for measuring an acceleration comprises a housing including a measuring-plate, which has a first surface. The measuring plate has a second surface in parallel with and opposite to the first surface. A post is bonded via a post-bonding-face to the first surface. A temperature-compensating-element for compensating a temperature-effect caused by a temperature acting on the measuring-plate, is bonded via an element-bonding-face to the second surface of the measuring-plate. In addition, a sensor as described above is in a measuring device.

Abstract: An image fixing assembly includes a heating unit having a heating element and a fusing member enclosing the heating element; a backup member; and a heat conducting member. The fusing member is configured to rotate around the heating element. Further, the fusing member is capable of being heated by the heating element. The backup member is abuttingly coupled to the fusing member for configuring a nip portion therebetween, and is capable of pressing media sheets against the fusing member, when the media sheets pass through the nip portion. The heat conducting member is capable of retractably coupling to one of the fusing member and the backup member for enabling flow of heat between the one of the fusing member and the backup member, and the heat conducting member, for reducing a thermal gradient. Further disclosed is a method for fixing images on the media sheets using the image fixing assembly.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and devices for a control system to regulate the output voltage of a high voltage power supply (HVPS) in an image forming device. In one embodiment, the HVPS comprises at least two voltage sources connected in series. A print engine controller is configured to disable at least one of the voltage sources when a voltage draw of a load exceeds a maximum differential voltage of the at least two voltage sources.

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: A method for dynamically lifting an elevator includes picking a sheet from a stack to feed to a media process where the stack is on a platform that can be lifted by an elevator, performing the media process, sensing a top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack at a media home position, sensing the top of the stack to detect presence or absence of the stack on the platform, sensing the platform to detect its presence or absence at a maximum elevator level, and indexing the stack at least once by lifting the platform through a given distance, during the media process and not during picking a sheet, unless presence of the top of the stack at the media home position is sensed or absence of media sheets on the elevator platform is sensed or presence of the elevator platform at the maximum elevator level is sensed.

Abstract: An image fixing assembly includes a heating unit having a heating element and a fusing member enclosing the heating element; a backup member; and a heat conducting member. The fusing member is configured to rotate around the heating element. Further, the fusing member is capable of being heated by the heating element. The backup member is abuttingly coupled to the fusing member for configuring a nip portion therebetween, and is capable of pressing media sheets against the fusing member, when the media sheets pass through the nip portion. The heat conducting member is capable of retractably coupling to one of the fusing member and the backup member for enabling flow of heat between the one of the fusing member and the backup member, and the heat conducting member, for reducing a thermal gradient. Further disclosed is a method for fixing images on the media sheets using the image fixing assembly.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for transitioning between color printing and black-only printing in an image forming device. A cartridge is moved between a first position in which color printing may occur and a second position in which black-only printing may occur. In the first position, a color developer unit may be in contact with a color photoconductor unit. The color developer unit may be spaced from the color photoconductor unit in the second position. During the transition, a voltage supplied to the cartridge and a speed of a drive motor driving the cartridge may be adjusted.

Abstract: A media handling system for an image forming machine includes a stationary frame, a platform supporting a stack of media sheets thereon, a bin supporting the platform and in turn supported on the stationary frame for undergoing movement relative thereto between a first position in which the bin locates the platform below and aligned with a pick mechanism and movable relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism and a second position in which the bin displaces the platform away from and out of alignment with the pick mechanism, and a motion transmitting assembly coupled between the stationary frame, platform and bin and operable to convert movement of the bin between first and second positions relative to the stationary frame into movement of the platform relative to the bin toward and away from the pick mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming device in a color printer or the like includes duplex printing. Multiple media sheets are moved through a media path which includes a primary path and a duplex path. Various parameters of the image forming device control the interpage gap between sheets. Parameters include peek-a-boo duplexing, sharing of motors within the drive rollers, and sharing of power supplies.