Method and apparatus for hard copy control using automatic sensing devices
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorsNancy Cernusak, Michael J. Martin, John W. Huffman
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Abstract
An electrophotography hard copy apparatus uses automated sensing devices to provide current condition signals and operational feedback signals to optimize subsystem operational parameters. Monitoring of ambient environmental conditions, subsystem operational parameters, and a print medium from input through output and the final printed text or image for predetermined characteristics is used to generate signals indicative of conditions that can be altered by commands to the apparatus' subsystems to optimize print quality.
Claims39
A print fusing system, comprising:
- print fuser having a plurality of individually controllable heaters;
- a controller connected to said heaters;
- connected to said controller, at least one sensor for ambient environmental conditions, at least one sensor for media parameters, at least one sensor for current print fuser system conditions, such that signals from each said sensor to said controller are provided to said controller for adjusting fusing system conditions to optimal for the next media sheet passing therethrough;
- and
- override controls for providing input requirements that override one or more sensor input signals to the controller.
A method for controlling hard copy apparatus' subsystems' printing operation parameters, via a hard copy apparatus controller, the method comprising:
- recognizing print medium characteristics during said medium input;
- recognizing said subsystems' printing operation parameters current states;
- based on said steps of recognizing print medium characteristics and recognizing said current states, commanding said subsystems to adjust printing operation parameters from said current states to adjusted states for optimizing print quality in accordance with said characteristics;
- recognizing print medium condition characteristic changes as said medium progresses along a media path through said apparatus, and commanding said subsystems to adjust printing operation parameters substantially continuously to the adjusted states for optimizing print quality in accordance with said characteristic changes.
A method for controlling hard copy apparatus'subsystems'printing operation parameters, via a hard copy apparatus controller, the method comprising:
- recognizing print medium characteristics during said medium input;
- recognizing said subsystems'printing operation parameters current states;
- based on said steps of recognizing print medium characteristics and recognizing said current states, commanding said subsystems to adjust printing operation parameters from said current states to adjusted states for optimizing print quality in accordance with said characteristics;
- outputting the medium having an image printed thereon;
- inspecting the medium with respect to post-printing characteristics;
- providing signals to said controller indicative of current post-printing characteristics;
- and
- commanding said subsystems to adjust printing operation parameters from said current states to adjusted states for optimizing print quality in accordance with said post-printing characteristics for a next sheet of medium to be printed.
A hard copy apparatus, having means for electrophotographically processing image printing data as a printed page and means for controlling the means for electrophotographically processing image printing data, including printing and media transport subsystems thereof, comprising:
- connected to the means for controlling, at least one sensor for ambient environmental conditions, at least one sensor for media parameters and at least one sensor for print quality characteristics, wherein signals from each said sensor to said means for controlling are provided to said means for controlling for determining and adjusting operational parameters of said means for electrophotographically process image printing data to optimal levels for printing the image data on a media sheet passing through said apparatus;
- wherein the at least one sensor for print quality characteristics comprises:
- sensors for providing signals indicative of post-printing characteristics of said printed page;
- and
- said characteristics are associated with both image quality and with medium condition.
A memory device having a program for controlling electrophotography device subsystems comprising:
- computer code enabling the recognition of signals indicative of print media characteristics, signals indicative of printed image characteristics, and signals indicative of current electrophotography device subsystems operational parameters;
- computer code determining optimal electrophotography device subsystems operational parameters based upon analysis of said signals indicative of print media characteristics and signals indicative of printed image characteristics;
- computer code commanding adjustments to the electrophotography device subsystems operational parameters based upon the analysis of said signals indicative of print media characteristics and signals indicative of printed image characteristics;
- and
- computer code analyzing signals indicative of post-printing image quality and post-printing media condition characteristics.
A hard copy apparatus, having means for electrophotographically processing image printing data as a printed page and means for controlling the means for electrophotographically processing image printing data, including printing subsystems and media transport subsystems thereof, comprising:
- connected to the means for controlling, at least one sensor for ambient environmental conditions, at least one sensor for media parameters, and at least one sensor for print quality characteristics, wherein signals from each said sensor to said means for controlling are provided to said means for controlling for determining and for adjusting operational parameters of said means for electrophotographically process image printing data to optimal levels for printing the image data on a media sheet passing through said apparatus, and wherein said means for controlling processes signals from said at least one sensor for ambient environmental conditions, from said at least one sensor for media parameters, and from said at least one sensor for print quality characteristics in a determinatively interactive manner such that commands are sent by said means for controlling to electrophotographic processing subsystems of said apparatus substantially in real time, setting optimal levels for printing the image data on a current media sheet passing through said apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.