Abstract: Correction of rotary encoder eccentricity in an image forming device having a motor controller using period and position pulse train feedback signals. A motor includes an encoder disc rotating with the motor and at least two encoder sensors disposed at different circumferential positions about the encoder disc. A controller may use a high speed clock to calculate a corrected speed count based on speed counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse per cycle of pulse trains from the encoders. The controller may also calculate a corrected position count based at least partly on one or more position counts determined from the number of clock cycles that elapse between periodic sampling points and transitions of encoder pulse trains. The corrected position count may also be calculated based on a position count and one or more speed counts.

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 system and method for using a short message service (SMS) of a wireless communication network operates to convert a subscriber's voice to a text message. The system employs offline conversion and verification of the converted text message prior to transmitting the text message over the wireless communication network. The system is implemented within the subscriber unit handset such that no additional infrastructure modifications of the wireless communication network are required.

Abstract: Laser beam scan line nonlinearity is compensated for by providing algorithms for generating linearity profiles which are used by a corresponding registration system in an electrophotographic device to determine the placement of Pels across a scan line.

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: 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: Systems and methods are provided for characterizing laser beam process direction position errors in an electrophotographic device. Once the process direction position errors of a given beam laser beam system have been characterized, an image is adjusted or warped prior to being processed by the laser beam system to compensate for laser beam process direction position errors, e.g., bow and skew.

Abstract: An optical scanner is provided having a memory device thereon. The memory device may store operational characteristics of the optical scanner or data that characterizes laser beam scan path and/or laser power requirements by each laser of the optical scanner. The memory device may be used to store historical information such as device temperature, cycles of operation and other historical information of components within a corresponding electrophotographic device. Still further, the electrophotographic device to which the optical scanner is installed may write operational data to the memory device, for example, to store a backup of registration and other operational parameters that are typically stored by the controller of the electrophotographic device.

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.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for alloying a surface of a workpiece of the type in which an electrode, formed of the alloying material, is connected to a pulse generating machine which creates repetitive spark discharges between the electrode and the workpiece when the electrode is in engagement with the workpiece, the improvement being a safety circuit which prevents energization of the electrode until it is engaged with the workpiece.