Formatter-control system The formatter is responsible for the following procedures:
● Controlling Sleep mode ● Receiving and processing print data from the various product interfaces ● Monitoring control-panel functions and relaying product-status information (through the control panel and the network or bidirectional interface) ● Developing and coordinating data placement and timing with the DC controller PCA ● Storing font information ● Communicating with the host computer through the network or the bidirectional interface The formatter receives a print job from the network or bidirectional interface and separates it into image information and instructions that control the printing process.
The DC controller PCA synchronizes the image- formation system with the paper-input and -output systems, and then signals the formatter to send the print-image data. Sleep mode After a user-specified time, the Sleep mode feature automatically conserves electricity by substantially reducing power consumption when the product is not printing. After a user-specified time, the product automatically reduces its power consumption (Sleep mode). The product returns to the ready state when a button is pressed, a print job is received, or a door is opened. When the product is in Sleep mode, all of the control-panel LEDs and the power button backlight LED are off.
Input/output The product receives print data primarily from the following: ● Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port ● 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN connection ● 802.11b/g/n wireless networking CPU The formatter incorporates a 600 MHz Arm processor. Memory The random access memory (RAM) on the formatter PCA contains the page, I/O buffers, and the font storage area. RAM stores printing and font information received from the host system, and can also serve to temporarily store a full page of print-image data before the data is sent to the print engine. NAND Flash memory The Smart Install CD image (ISO) is stored in the NAND Flash non-volatile memory. This memory can be reprogrammed through the firmware.
4 Chapter 1 Theory of operation ENWW