Formatter system

The formatter PCA is responsible for the following actions:

controlling the PowerSave mode

receiving and processing print data from the various printer interfaces

￿monitoring control panel input and relaying printer status information (through the control panel and the bidirectional I/O)

developing and coordinating data placement and timing with the print engine storing font information

￿communicating with the host computer through the Jetdirect EIO or bidirectional parallel interface

The formatter PCA receives a print job from the bidirectional interface and separates it into image information and instructions that control the printing process. The dc controller board synchronizes the image-formation system with the paper feed and delivery systems, and then signals the formatter to send the print-image data.

The formatter PCA also provides the electrical interface and mounting locations for two EIO cards and additional memory DIMMs.

PowerSave

This feature (accessed from the configuration menu) conserves power by shutting down the fuser and exhaust fans after the printer has been idle for an adjustable period of time. The printer retains all printer settings, downloaded fonts, and macros while it is in the PowerSave mode. The default setting is POWERSAVE ON, with a 30-minute idle time.

The printer exits the PowerSave mode and enters the warm-up cycle when any of the following occurs:

a print job, valid data, or a PML or PJL command is received at the parallel port or an EIO card

a control panel key is pressed

the top cover is opened and then closed a tray is opened and then closed

 

￿the engine-test button is pressed

 

￿

Note

Printer error messages override the PowerSave message. The printer will enter the PowerSave

 

mode at the appropriate time, but the error message will continue to appear.

 

 

 

Resolution Enhancement technology

 

The formatter PCA contains circuitry for Resolution Enhancement technology (REt), which

 

modifies the standard video dot data on its way to the dc controller board to produce “smoothed”

 

black-to-white boundaries. REt can be set through the control panel, or from some software

 

applications. The default setting is medium.

 

 

Note

REt settings set from software applications or printer drivers override the control panel settings.

 

 

78 Functional information

Q1860-90918

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HP 5100LE manual Formatter system, PowerSave, Resolution Enhancement technology