Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method for operating a printer apparatus that includes a print head. The method includes causing a media hub to retract a media in a retract direction along a media path. Further, the method includes causing a first media sensor to generate a first signal during retraction of the media. Furthermore, the method includes monitoring the first signal to detect at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of a label of the plurality of labels. Upon detecting the at least one of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the label, causing the media hub to retract the media by at least a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance between the print head and the first media sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method for operating a printer apparatus that includes a print head. The method includes causing a media hub to retract a media in a retract direction along a media path. Further, the method includes causing a first media sensor to generate a first signal during retraction of the media. Furthermore, the method includes monitoring the first signal to detect at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of a label of the plurality of labels. Upon detecting the at least one of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the label, causing the media hub to retract the media by at least a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance between the print head and the first media sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a method for operating a printer apparatus that includes a print head. The method includes causing a media hub to retract a media in a retract direction along a media path. Further, the method includes causing a first media sensor to generate a first signal during retraction of the media. Furthermore, the method includes monitoring the first signal to detect at least one of a leading edge or a trailing edge of a label of the plurality of labels. Upon detecting the at least one of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the label, causing the media hub to retract the media by at least a predetermined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is a distance between the print head and the first media sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus or an image forming system, includes a control section to control, at the time of forming an image by using a long sheet with a conveying direction sheet length longer than that of a sheet with a fixed paper size, so as to perform image formation by arranging multiple images on the long sheet, and the control section controls so as to form images repeatedly with a predetermined cycle on the long sheet, detects a margin region being a region where images are not formed on the long sheet, and controls image formation so as to dispose a patch image on the margin region.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors in individual color separation images of a multi-color printing machine, in particular an electrophotographic printing machine, comprising a plurality of printing units, is described. Using this method, first a plurality of first register lines is printed with a first printing unit, and a plurality of second register lines is printed with a second printing unit in such a manner that each of the first register lines, together with one of said second register lines, is positioned inside a respective registration frame. Then the plurality of the first and second register lines in the respective registration frame are detected with a register sensor, and an output signal of the register sensor relating to the respective second register line is compared with an intensity threshold value in order to determine whether the second register lines can be recognized.

Abstract: An image forming device, configured to make image quality adjustment based on calibration data, includes a storage configured to store the calibration data for the image quality adjustment, an acquiring unit configured to acquire first image data, a converter configured to, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, convert the first image data acquired by the acquiring unit into second image data by placing, into the first image data, test pattern data for forming one or more test patterns, an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the second image data on an image-formed body thereof, a sensor configured to measure densities of the test patterns included in the image formed on the image-formed body, and a modifying unit configured to modify the calibration data stored on the storage based on the densities measured by the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are image processing methods and systems to control the synchronization of two or more photoreceptor belts associated with an image processing system. According to one exemplary method, the phase error of a slave printing engine photoreceptor belt is controlled by modifying the speed of the slave printing engine photoreceptor belt by an increment which is a function of a predetermined image on image registration tolerance associated with the slave printing engine. Notable, the phase error is controlled while the slave printing engine develops an image on its respective photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a forming unit that forms an image on an image holder that is a rotating body holding an image; a measuring unit that measures a rotation amount of the image holder with reference to a certain position on the image holder; a determining unit that: identifies a position on the image holder from which an image is to be formed by the forming unit, according to the rotation amount measured by the measuring unit; if, while a plurality of images are successively formed on the image holder, an image for density correction is to be formed, postpones forming of the image for density correction until a timing arrives at which one image of the plurality of images is to be formed from a predetermined position on the image holder, and when the timing arrives at which the one image of the plurality of images is to be formed from the predetermined position on the image holder, determines to start forming of the image for density correction from the predetermined position, instead of form

Abstract: A method for determining a location on an image bearing surface of an image printing system where a toner image is to be printed is provided. The method comprises generating a first signal from a detector that is configured to detect a reference mark on the image bearing surface, and a second signal from a clock system that counts incremental movements of the image bearing surface, determining a first value that correlates the first signal and the second signal, where the first value corresponds to a value of the second signal at a start of characterization of the image bearing surface, and determining a second value using the first value, where the second value provides the location on the image bearing surface where the toner image is to be printed.

Abstract: A calibration procedure for the synchronization of photoreceptor belt seams of tandem marking devices at system cycle-up. The procedure allows for images projected upon equivalent image panels relative to the belt seams of the tandem engines to be printed on the same sheet. The successive image panels on each belt are of relatively equal distance from the respective belt seams. Thus there is less frequency of the need to skip pitches in the printing operation to avoid either imaging on a belt seam or having the sheet arrive outside the input timing window for second engine sheet registration.

Abstract: A method of controlling the inverter dwell time of the first print engine in order to print any sheet size within a pitch mode without the need for a belt sync dead-cycle. The method uses a small nominal inverter dwell time based on the maximum sheet size for a given pitch mode. For any sheet size within the pitch mode that is smaller than the maximum sheet size, the inverter dwell time will increase proportionally.

Abstract: Disclosed are image processing methods and systems to control the synchronization of two or more photoreceptor belts associated with an image processing system. According to one exemplary method, the phase error of a slave printing engine photoreceptor belt is controlled by modifying the speed of the slave printing engine photoreceptor belt by an increment which is a function of a predetermined image on image registration tolerance associated with the slave printing engine. Notable, the phase error is controlled while the slave printing engine develops an image on its respective photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: Printing systems, control systems, and methods are presented for controlling customer image creation in which process control patches are laterally offset from a lateral customer image boundary to mitigate adverse interaction of control patches and customer images and to improve print engine process control.

Abstract: A calibration procedure for the synchronization of photoreceptor belt seams of tandem marking devices at system cycle-up. The procedure allows for images projected upon equivalent image panels relative to the belt seams of the tandem engines to be printed on the same sheet. The successive image panels on each belt are of relatively equal distance from the respective belt seams. Thus there is less frequency of the need to skip pitches in the printing operation to avoid either imaging on a belt seam or having the sheet arrive outside the input timing window for second engine sheet registration.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus having a rotatable imaging member and means for performing a selected one of a plurality of operations on a portion of the rotatable imaging member, a set of metaphorical bricks are used to schedule operations. For an operation of a first type, a first brick is scheduled, the first brick defining a time duration associated with the operation, and defining a first portion having a first height and a second portion having a second height. For an operation of a second type, a second brick is scheduled, the second brick defining at least one height and a time duration associated with the operation. A combined height of bricks scheduled over time is monitored.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of an uncharged region on a photoconductive drum in an electrophotographic device, including rotating the photoconductive drum, and charging a surface of the drum via a charge roller by application of a voltage to the charge roller. An electrical characteristic of one of the charge roller or photoconductive drum is measured, and an alteration in the electrical characteristic is used to determine a location of the uncharged region.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus has a stacking section for storing sheets received from an image forming apparatus for post-processing, a sheet saving section for temporarily saving a specified number of sheets being conveyed to the stacking section and then causing them to accompany a sheet conveyed next for the batch feed of the sheets, and a controller for executing a control to batch feed remaining sheets by causing the remaining sheets to accompany the temporarily saved sheets of a previous set if the remaining sheets falls short of the number of the sheets to be batch fed. Even if the total number of the sheets saved in the auxiliary storing section and the last sheet of the sheet bundle falls short of the preset batch feed number, the need for temporarily suspending the conveyance of the first sheet of the next bundle can be eliminated to speed-up the sheet processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shifting the image-forming region of a printing device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photoconductor, an encoder, several rollers, and a controlled device. The present invention is used to shift the image-forming region in the photoconductor by the controlled device. The damage of the image-forming region in the photoconductor can be reduced. The lifetime of the photoconductor can be extended. In addition, the controlled device uses firmware to shift the image-forming region. The shifting method can be a sequential mode or random mode.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which performs correction processing on a dynamic image including a plurality of frame images for determining the correction value suitable for each of the frame images of the dynamic image including: a detector detecting change of scenes of the dynamic image; a correction value determination unit determining the correction value for image processing of each of the plurality of frame images based on the change of the scenes detected by the detector; and a correction unit correcting each of the frame images of the dynamic image based on the correction value determined by the correction value determination unit.

Abstract: In an electrographic reproduction apparatus having a media transport mechanism for transporting media into operative association with a plurality of different color electrographic process modules, a mechanism for providing image density control signals to the logic and control unit. At least one densitometer is provided for sensing image density control patches on the media transport mechanism and producing signals representative of the density of the such image for the logic and control unit.

Abstract: Electronic display devices and methods are described. In one embodiment, a display device comprises a housing and a display area provided within the housing to display content for a user. Memory is provided within the housing to hold data that is to be rendered into user-viewable content. An electrophotographic assembly is provided within the housing and is configured to electrophotographically render user-viewable content from the data that is held in the memory. A loop of material is disposed proximate the electrophotographic assembly and is configured to receive electrophotographically rendered content and present the content for user viewing within the display area. A control area is provided on the housing and includes one or more user-engagable structures to permit a user to interact with the device. The control area is positioned on the housing to accommodate one-handed use of the device.

Abstract: In this invention, the relationship between the attachment position of a sensor and the formation positional shift of a color image is checked by moving a color misregistration detection sensor along an attachment position candidate line that is defined in advance in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of an endless-belt-shaped transfer body. A specific attachment position on the sensor attachment position candidate line, at which color misregistration of the color image at a side edge portion of the transfer body becomes equal to the maximum value of color misregistration at a portion except the side edge portion, is found. The sensor is fixed at a position that satisfies the specific attachment position and opposes the color image formation surface of the transfer body. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus is controlled to correct color overlay on the basis of the detection signal of the color image by the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus include a toner cartridge that defines a primary toner reservoir and at least one secondary toner reservoir. A gate device is also included, wherein the gate device is configured to selectively control the flow of toner from the secondary toner reservoir to the primary toner reservoir. Methods of operating a toner cartridge include providing a toner cartridge having a primary toner reservoir and a secondary toner reservoir. The toner cartridge is operated to initially deplete toner from the primary toner reservoir. At a given level of toner depletion from the primary toner reservoir, toner is dumped from the secondary toner reservoir into the primary toner reservoir for replenishment thereof.

Abstract: A photoconductive member for use in a single pass multi-color printing machine is disclosed. The photoconductive member is composed of an inter seam zone having a physical seam. The inter seam zone includes one of a plurality of image-on-image registration marks respective to a particular color latent image formed on the photoconductive member in a single pass. A plurality of interdocument zones is also included on the photoconductive member wherein process control marks are formed. While the inter seam zone is used for monitoring color-to-color registration, the process control marks are monitored to adjust the timing of the printing machine so that copy media synchronizes with an asynchronous placement of the images on the photoconductive member. A single pass, multi-color electrophotographic printing machine architecture uses a vertically oriented photoconductive belt. Transfer of the toner powder images occur at the lowermost portion of the photoconductive belt.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for a printer.

Abstract: Electrostatographic recording method and apparatus that includes a primary image-forming member (PIFM) which moves along a closed path at high-speed. The PIFM may be in the form of an endless belt, which has a row of image frame synchronizing indicia. The indicia are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the PIFM. The indicia are not all uniformly spaced from one another so that an interframe area larger than other smaller interframe areas on the PIFM can exist. During a production run toner images are formed on the image frames by sensing the image frame synchronizing indicia. The larger interframe area is provided preferably at a splice or seam area to provide sufficient time for a change in a process element for which sufficient time is not available at a smaller interframe area.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an endless belt, an imaging station, a number of developing stations, and a number of transfer stations. A controllable belt drive drives the endless belt along a path through the imaging station, the developing stations and the transfer stations. A preformed timing mark is carried on the belt and a sensor is provided for sensing the passage of the timing mark past a sensing position. A control device controls the belt drive to run at a constant speed and controls the speed of the belt in response to the sensing of the timing mark. The maintenance of a constant belt speed can be more reliably assured.

Abstract: In the formation of a multicolor image for generating a color print by repeating operation for transferring on an intermediate transfer member every color after one color toner image is formed on a photoreceptor drum, when an image of each color is written on the photoconductor, the image writing start position of each color is differentiated in a process direction of the photoconductor on the basis of a position reference mark on the intermediate transfer member detected by a sensor. This prevents a defect on the photoconductor from being enlarged and visually conspicuous.

Abstract: A method of control to synchronize the arrival of images and copy sheets at a transfer station by sensing delay of a copy sheet arrival at the transfer station. There is then a determination that the delay of arrival is incapable of being corrected to synchronize with a given image. In response, the control decides to rewrite the given image on the receiving medium or further delay the arrival of the copy sheet, or a combination of rewrite and delay, in order that the arrival of a given image and copy sheet is synchronized.

Abstract: A flexible electrostatographic imaging belt having two parallel sides and a non imaging seam region extending substantially from one of the sides to the other side, the non-imaging seam region having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a seam within the non imaging seam region, the leading and trailing edges being perpendicular to the two parallel sides of the imaging belt, the belt comprising a substrate layer, a reflective electrically conductive layer, at least one imaging layer, an imaging region extending around the belt from adjacent the leading edge of the seam region to adjacent the trailing edge, the imaging region adapted to reflect monochromatic infrared radiation and a permanent localized solid attribute at a predetermined location in the non imaging seam region, the attribute adapted to reduce by at least about 50 percent direct reflection by the seam itself of a beam of monochromatic infrared radiation originally directed at the attribute.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine that has a photoconductive belt with a skewed seam thereon. The position of the skewed seam is detected by a pair of seam detection devices. The seam detection devices are spaced from one another and adapted to transmit a pair of signals with the signals having a time interval therebetween. These signals are inputted to a detection circuit and, if the time interval between signals is within a preselected tolerance, the detection circuit generates a seam indication signal. In this way, scratches on the photoconductive surface may be discriminated from the seam.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a third level test and third level data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material borne on an endless belt supported by a plurality of rollers, at least one of which creates an area of deformation where the roller is in contact with the belt when the belt is stationary. The recording material is supplied to the belt so as not to cross the center of the area of deformation of the belt in the moving direction thereof.