Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an accommodating unit that accommodates recording materials and a feeding unit that feeds an accommodated recording material, detects a fed recording material, and measures time from a predetermined timing until a recording material is detected. An information processing apparatus receives measured time data from the image forming apparatus, classifies the received plurality of time data into a first group and a second group in accordance with a length of time, selects a group for predicting a remaining life time of the feeding unit from the classified first group and second group, and predicts a remaining life time of the feeding unit using time data included in the selected group.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and an upper device connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first receiving unit for receiving a print mode including a cost priority mode; a first transmission unit for transmitting the print mode to the upper device; a second receiving unit for receiving a print instruction; a print control unit for printing the print data; a duplex print control unit for controlling a printing operation; and a fixing temperature control unit for controlling a fixing temperature. The upper device includes a first storage unit for storing a save setting; a third receiving unit for receiving image data; a second storage unit for storing the print mode; an arrangement print control unit for generating the print data; and a second transmission unit for transmitting the print instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet conveying unit, a TOD (Top of Data) control module for instructing the image forming unit to start generation of a toner image, a timing roller driving module for instructing the sheet conveying unit to start driving of the timing roller, an image synchronization module designed depending on the sheet conveying unit and the image forming unit, and a sheet information module for generating an image synchronization identifier for designating a pattern of image synchronization control related to printing of the toner image on the sheet, depending on a type of the sheet designated. The image synchronization module is activated when the formation of the toner image on the sheet has become possible, and activate each of the TOD control module and the timing roller driving module, with a relative time lag based on the image synchronization identifier.

Abstract: A printing consumables chip comprises a base plate which is provided with a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an electronic module which connects with two electrical contacts. The electronic module comprises a microcontroller, and a clock circuit which provides a clock signal to the microcontroller. The modulation circuit comprises a switch device. A control terminal of the switch device is connected with a first pin of the microcontroller and two output terminals of the switch device are connected with the first electrical contact and the ground, respectively. The clock circuit comprises a comparison unit. A first input terminal of the comparison unit is connected with an external clock signal and a second input terminal. The first pin receives the control signal from the output terminal of the comparison unit, and the control terminal of the switch device is connected with a second pin of the microcontroller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a buffer configured to temporarily store in the buffer toner supplied from a toner cartridge and to be fed to a developing unit; a magnetic reed switch configured to sense magnet variation occurring in a sensing range and sequentially output signals each indicating a result of the sensing; a toner level indicator plate disposed within the buffer to swing up and down about a fixed edge in response to a change in a level of the toner that remains in the buffer, the toner level indicator plate having a magnet on a free edge thereof, the magnet being made to reach the sensing range in a state where the toner level indicator plate has swung down.

Abstract: Line width of images marked by an image marking device is adjusted by reading a calibration patch marked by the marking device, and then adjusting one or more settings of the marking device, such as exposure intensity or cleaning field intensity, independent of the digital control of the tone reproduction curve so that the line width of subsequently marked images becomes closer to a target value. A digital control may be implemented to compensate for the impact of the modification of the one or more settings on the tone reproduction curve.

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 method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines using a small delta time increment. According to the first mode of practice, the second electrophotographic module, designated as E2, is started at a slower operating speed than its normal run speed. The PI control algorithm that controls the motor speed will then allow the speed of E2 to reach its nominal speed.

Abstract: A print engine synchronization system apparatus enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset.

Abstract: A print engine synchronization method enables the movement of a first print engine dielectric support member (DSM) having one or more image frames as well as the movement of a second print engine DSM having one or more image frames by monitoring a first frame signal from the moving first print engine DSM and a second frame signal from the moving second print engine DSM. An offset is determined for each of corresponding pairs of frames from the one or more image frames of the first and second print engine DSM and the determined offset for each corresponding pair of frames is compared to a target offset to maintain synchronization between the first and second print engines on a frame by frame basis by adjusting a second print engine DSM velocity based on the comparison of the determined offset and the target offset.

Abstract: In the printing and finishing of sheet-like objects, printing instructions are outputted to a printer. In accordance therewith, sheet-like objects are printed by the printer and are subsequently delivered by the printer directly to the finishing apparatus and then finished by the finishing apparatus. Output data concerning the printing instructions sent to the printer which are at least indicative of the printer capacity required for the printer to process the printing instructions outputted to the printer are registered. Sheet-like objects displaced by the printer are detected and signaled by the detector. At least periodically, production data in accordance with the signals received from the detector are generated. These data are at least indicative of a production quantity realized by the printer in response to the printing instructions sent to the printer. Depending on the production data, the output of next ones of the printing instructions to the printer is dosed.

Abstract: A system for printing a multi-layer document includes no less than two continuous feed simplex printing devices that each print on no more than one of a plurality of media webs. An in-line post-processing device merges the media webs into a multi-layer document. The system also may have a controller that controls the printing devices and the post-processing device from a single synchronized dataflow. A method prints a multi-layer document, including the steps of simultaneously printing on no less than two media webs by a plurality of roll fed printers that each print on only one of the media webs; and merging the media webs from the plurality of roll fed printers in an inline post-processing device.

Abstract: A method of correcting periodic banding defects in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: determining a banding profile estimate; determining a compensation profile; adjusting the compensation profile based on the transfer function of a motion system and the transfer function of a printing system; waiting until a defect once-around signal returns; and applying the output of the adjustment step to a controller controlling the speed of an imaging surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an AC high voltage power supply, a DC high voltage power supply, and a high voltage power supply apparatus, which outputs an output voltage at an output end by superposing an output of the AC high voltage power supply and an output of the DC high voltage power supply. The high voltage power supply apparatus has a positive peak detector detecting a positive peak of the voltage at an output end, and a negative peak detector detecting a negative peak of the voltage at an output end. An output voltage of at least one of the AC high voltage power supply and the DC high voltage power supply is controlled on the basis of the detection result of at least one of the positive peak detector and the negative peak detector.

Abstract: A printing machine with an electrophotographic device, having a photoconductor, a photoconductor drive and an illumination device. The electrophotographic unit can be provided with the substrate by a feed device. The photoconductor drive motor is adjusted by a controller and the feed device can be linearly adjusted by a feed device drive motor. In order to produce high-definition prints, especially images or lettering on plate-shaped substrates, the feed device drive motor is adjusted by a controller that is controlled by a master-slave controller via a setpoint feed. The controller for the photoconductor drive motor is also controlled by the master-slave controller via a setpoint feed and the master slave controller synchronizes the feeding speed of the feed device and the speed of movement of the photoconductor.

Abstract: Transfer belt subassembly for a color printer includes a transfer belt, home position indicator, temperature sensor, and memory. The transfer belt subassembly is measured and characterized after fabrication, before being installed in a printer. Measurement and calibration data for the transfer belt is stored in memory as part of the subassembly, including data representing velocity characteristics of the transfer belt and temperature compensation factors used by an engine-controller in a method to govern the speed of the drive motor. When the transfer belt subassembly is inserted into a printer, the engine-controller is operative in response to data stored in the memory and sensed belt velocity and temperature data, providing adjustment of belt velocity and compensation for variations in the transfer belt speed. Using the predetermined characterizing data, precise alignment of the color planes with respect to one another is achieved for accurate color printing.

Abstract: A stage system includes a stage being movable in a predetermined direction, a first unit for applying a force to the stage in the predetermined direction, a moving mechanism for moving one of the first unit and a structure including the first unit, a first measuring system for measuring at least one of the position and movement amount of the stage, and a second measuring system for measuring at least one of the position and movement amount of one of the first unit and the structure, wherein the stage is controlled on the basis of a measured value of the first measuring system, and wherein the moving system is controlled on the basis of a measured value of the second measuring system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing banding artifact in electrophotographic devices are provided. One such electrophotographic device uses a closed loop controller that receives a feedback signal from an encoder connected to the OPC drum to improve the rotational velocity control of the drum. The encoder provides the rotational position or angular velocity of the drum to the closed loop controller as the feedback signal. Optionally, the electrophotographic device uses a closed loop controller that incorporates a model of the human visual system, such as the human contrast sensitivity function, to help reduce noticeable banding artifacts. The human contrast sensitivity function incorporated into the primary control loop helps filter out low frequency and non-periodic drum rotational velocity fluctuations in producing banding artifacts.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for a printer includes an optical scanning unit having a deflector divided into a plurality of deflection regions to allow repetitive scanning of light emitted from a light source by rotation, the optical scanning unit for scanning light onto a photosensitive belt traveling around a plurality of rollers; a first photodetector installed at a position separated from the edge of the photosensitive belt, to be able to receivable light scanned beyond the edge of the photosensitive belt; a second photodetector installed a predetermined distance apart from the first photodetector, to be able to receive light scanned just beyond the edge of the photosensitive belt until the light hits the edge of the photosensitive belt; a scanning reference position signal generator for generating a scanning reference position signal at a point in time at which a signal output from the first photodetector in response to the reception of light, and a signal output from the second photodetector in response t

Abstract: A solenoid-controlled sheet registration mechanism for a copier/printer includes registration fingers for registering the lead edge of a sheet before it is fed to the transfer station of the copier/printer, to receive a developed image from the photoreceptor. The mechanism also includes a pair of nip rolls for forwarding the sheet to the transfer station, after registration. Energization of the solenoid moves the registration fingers into the registration position and disengages the nip rolls. Conversely, release of the solenoid allows the registration fingers to return to a non-registration position and the nip rolls to return to paper-feeding engagement, both of those return movements taking place under a resilient bias. To soften the impact between the nip rolls as they re-engage, and so reduce any resulting noise, the release of the solenoid is controlled by applying a pulsed drive signal to the solenoid during the release period after the energizing signal has ceased.