Patent ID: 6088554
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method of operating a color laser printer to print a monochrome image, the color laser printer capable of utilizing a plurality of color developing units and a monochrome developing unit, the color laser printer including a plurality of developing unit ports corresponding in number to the plurality of color developing units and the monochrome developing unit, the method comprising the steps of:determining whether at least one of the plurality of color developing units is unavailable for use;if at least one of the plurality of color developing units is unavailable for use, determining whether the monochrome developing unit is available for use;if the monochrome developing unit is available for use, controlling the printer to print monochrome images of all image data sent to the printer; andcovering a toner delivery aperture within a developing unit port to prevent ambient light from traveling through the toner delivery aperture when the developing unit port does not contain a developing unit.