Abstract

Laser printers have become a common-place technology for many people and represent one of the most eclectic combinations of technology available. Printers range from large high-speed systems costing upwards of $400,000 to new small personal units costing less than $1500. While the cost and performance range is large, the design elements are not radically different. What we shall explore in this discussion are the design elements and fundamental system taxonomyi of laser printers. The architectural alternatives will be reviewed as well as the potential extensibility of the scanner technology. Laser printer systems are available with or without controllers, and we shall review the importance of the controller and its future potential. Printer spatial resolutions from about 300 pixels/in. to over 3000 pixels/in. are commercially available and can print to a variety of media. Laser scanners also operate in either binary or greyscale mode and have been adapted to color laser printers as well. The remarkable reduction in cost of laser scanners is a combination of both good design and manufacturing volume. In summary, we shall review the past, present, and future of this pervasive and very profitable technology.

© 1990 Optical Society of America