Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronically adjusting an image to compensate for laser beam process direction position errors in an electrophotographic device. Initially, a bow profile is defined that characterizes the process direction position errors of a laser beam across a scan line. The device subsequently reads an image to be printed from a first memory location, performs pixel shifts on select columns thereof based upon the bow profile, and temporarily stores the adjusted image data to a second location of memory. The adjusted image data is then communicated to a printhead of the device.

Abstract: A motor control circuit uses a stored commutation table to effect time-based commutation of a brushless dc motor. Each entry in the commutation table defines a motor winding commutation state, and an exemplary method of open-loop motor control based on the commutation table comprises commutating the motor based on sequentially selecting table entries at a desired selection rate. That is, motor speed is controlled precisely by controlling the sequential selection rate rather than by relying on feedback from the motor. However, motor feedback for closed-loop control may be used in some modes of operation. For example, the method may include closed-loop control or open-loop control depending on the motor speed range, and may transition from closed-loop to open-loop control.

Abstract: A method of minimizing visual artifacts resulting from a laser scan process in an electrophotographic machine, the electrophotographic machine including a photoconductive device having an image forming surface. The method including the steps of obtaining correction data relative to a bowed image and offsetting at least a portion of non-bowed image data dependent upon the correction data, and additionally dependent upon halftone cell growth of a halftone cell.

Abstract: A tax return is processed by receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer where the tax information is in a plurality of formats. The tax information is converted into a common electronic format. A determination is made whether the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom. A tax return is generated if the tax information has been determined to be sufficient.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing tape from a wound tape cartridge of the type having a hub around which a length of tape is wound, a protective housing surrounding the hub having a door for providing access to the tape during use, and locking members for preventing the hub from unintentionally rotating and the door from unintentionally opening. The apparatus comprises a cartridge conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of wound tape cartridges. A cartridge processing station operatively associated with the cartridge conveyor for receiving the wound tape cartridges from the cartridge conveyor in a sequential manner and holding the cartridges in an operational position to allow for automatic removal of the tape from the cartridges. An unwinding assembly is operatively associated with the processing station for engaging the tape in a cartridge being held in the operational position at the processing station and stripping the tape from the cartridge.