Abstract:
A method of printing using an image-on-image device that includes a photoreceptor, including monochrome exposing the photoreceptor or monochrome charging the photoreceptor, wherein monochrome exposing the photoreceptor includes charging the photoreceptor, successively exposing the photoreceptor in a monochrome mode using a plurality of exposing devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the exposing devices, and developing a monochrome image on the photoreceptor; and monochrome charging the photoreceptor includes successively charging the photoreceptor via a plurality of charging devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the charging devices, exposing the photoreceptor using an exposing device, and developing an image on the photoreceptor. A marking device capable of implementing the method of printing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In electrophotographic printing, a photoconductive surface is charged, and is then exposed to image data to selectively discharge portions of the charged photoconductive surface. This forms a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. Charged toner material is then applied to the latent-image-bearing portion of the photoconductive surface to convert the latent electrostatic image into a developed image. 
         [0002]    In image-on-image electrophotographic printing systems, this process is repeated a number of times to build a multi-layer image. Typically, each layer of the multi-layer image is one color separation. Together, these separations form a developed color image comprised of toner. This developed, or toner, image is then transferred, either directly, or indirectly via a transfer member, to a sheet of recording material. The developed, or toner, image is then at least semi-permanently fixed to the sheet of recording material. An example of this process is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691. 
         [0003]    In the image-on-image technique, the photoconductive member passes through the first charge/expose/develop station. A toned image is created on the photoconductive surface in a color corresponding to the color of toner contained in the first station. Tie image bearing member, containing this first toned image, then moves to a second charge/expose/develop station. The latent image for the second separation is created by exposing the photoconductor through the toned image from the first separation. Subsequent latent images are exposed through the image or images formed prior, on the same portion of the photoconductive surface, and then developed. 
         [0004]    Different color features of an input image are formed at separate stations of the image forming device. Each station typically contains a charging substation, an exposing substation and a developing station. These stations and substations are arranged around, and can be strategically spaced relative to, the photoconductive surface. Thus, in such image forming devices, the photoconductive surface may be a photoconductive belt. The speed that the belt moves past these different stations can be strategically set to allow adequate time for: 1) uniform charging of the photoconductive surface, 2) sufficient exposing of the latent image and 3) sufficient developing of the image. 
         [0005]    Commercial demands require reliable, high-speed production of quality images. Most image forming devices are capable of printing about 40-80 pages per minute. More sophisticated image forming devices can print up to 100 pages per minute or more. An example of such devices is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,479. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods provide a method of printing using an image-on-image device that includes a photoreceptor, including at least one of monochrome exposing the photoreceptor and monochrome charging the photoreceptor, wherein monochrome exposing the photoreceptor includes charging the photoreceptor, successively exposing the photoreceptor in a monochrome mode using a plurality of exposing devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the exposing devices, and developing a monochrome image on the photoreceptor; and monochrome charging the photoreceptor includes successively charging the photoreceptor via a plurality of charging devices during a single revolution of the photoreceptor relative to the charging devices, exposing the photoreceptor using an exposing device, and developing an image on the photoreceptor. 
         [0007]    Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods also provide a marking device, that includes a movable photoreceptor, at least one of a multi-exposing marking device and a multi-charging marking device, wherein the multi-exposing marking device includes a charging device configured to charge the photoreceptor, a controller that controls a plurality of exposing devices configured to successively expose the photoreceptor using the plurality of exposing devices during one revolution of the photoreceptor during monochrome marking as the photoreceptor moves through the printing device, and a developing device that develops an image on the movable photoreceptor; and the multi-charging marking device includes a controller that controls a plurality of charging devices configured to successively charge the photoreceptor using the plurality of charging devices during one revolution of the photoreceptor during monochrome marking as the photoreceptor moves through the printing device, an exposing device that exposes the charged photoreceptor, and a developing device that develops an image on the charged and exposed photoreceptor. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a generalized block diagram of a conventional image forming device  100 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image forming device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart outlining a conventional method for generating images using an image forming device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an apparatus for generating images using an image forming device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for generating images using an image forming device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an apparatus for generating images using an image forming device according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for generating images using an image forming device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Various features and advantages are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a generalized block diagram of a conventional image forming device  100 . The image forming device  100  is connectable to an image data source  90  over a signal line or link  95 . The image data source  90  provides input image data to the image forming device  100 . 
         [0018]    In general, the image data source  90  can be any one or more of a number of different sources, such as a scanner, a digital copier, a facsimile device that is suitable for generating electronic image data, or a device suitable for storing and/or transmitting electronic image data, such as a client or server of a network, such as the Internet, and especially the World Wide Web, for example. Thus, the image data source  90  can be any known or later-developed source that is capable of providing image data to the image forming device  100 . The signal line or link  95  can be implemented using a public switched telephone network, a local or wide area network, an intranet, the Internet, a wireless transmission channel, or any other known or later-developed distributed network, or the like. 
         [0019]    When the image data source  90  is a personal computer, the link  95  connecting the image data source  90  to the image forming device  100  can be a direct link between the personal computer and the image forming device  100 . The link  95  can also be a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, an intranet, or any other distributed processing and storage network. Moreover, the link  95  can also be a wireless link to the image data source  90 . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the image data source  90  can be connected using any known or later-developed system that is capable of transmitting data from the image data source  90  to the image forming device  100 . 
         [0020]    The image data provided by the image data source  90  is received by the input/output interface  105 . The image data from the input/output interface  105 , under the control of the controller  110 , is forwarded either directly to the appropriate station or is initially stored in the memory  107 . If the image data first is stored in the memory  107 , the controller  110  can subsequently forward the image data from the memory  107  to the appropriate station. 
         [0021]    The memory  107  can be implemented using any appropriate combination of alterable, volatile or non-volatile, memory; or non-alterable or fixed memory. The alterable memory, whether volatile or non-volatile, can be implemented using any one or more of static or dynamic RAM, a floppy disk and disk drive, a writeable or re-writeable optical disk and disk drive, a hard drive, flash memory or the like. Similarly, the non-alterable or fixed memory can be implemented using any one or more of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, an optical ROM disk, such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM disk, and disk drive or the like. 
         [0022]    It should be appreciated that, while the electronic image data can be generated at the time of printing an image from an original physical document, the electronic image data could have been generated at any time in the past. Moreover, the electronic image data need not have been generated from the original physical document, but could have been created from scratch electronically. The image data source  90  is thus any known or later developed device which is capable of supplying electronic image data over the link  95  to the image forming device  100 . The link  95  can thus be any known or later developed system or device for transmitting the electronic image data from the image data source  90  to the image forming device  100 . 
         [0023]    A known image forming device prints cyan, magenta, yellow and black. These four colors are typically generated separately at stations  2 - 5 ,  130 - 160 , respectively. Station  120  may be used for a custom color toner, or not at all. If station  120  is not used, it may still be retained in the architecture of the image forming device. Substations for charging, exposing and developing the different color images are located in each of stations  1  ( 121 - 123 , respectively), station  2  ( 131 - 133 , respectively), station  3  ( 141 - 143 , respectively), station  4  ( 151 - 153 , respectively) and station  5  ( 161 - 163 , respectively). 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image forming device. The photoconductive belt  190  moves, in a counterclockwise direction, through the various substations located along the circumference of the photoconductive belt  190 . The charging substation  121  charges the photoconductive belt  190 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 121  through the charging substation  121 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 1  to reach the exposing substation  122 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 1  between the exposing substation  122  and the charging substation  121  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0025]    The exposing substation  122  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190  in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the image associated with a first color separation. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 122  through the exposing substation  122 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 2  to reach the developing station  123 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 2  between the developing station  123  and the exposing substation  122  are predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0026]    The developing station  123  develops the first color of the toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 123  through the developing station  123 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the first color of the toner image over the distance DT 123 . 
         [0027]    The photoconductive belt continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the charging substation  131 . The charging substation  131  charges the photoconductive belt  190 , including the toner image from station  123  on its surface. The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 131  through the charging substation  131 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 3  to reach the exposing substation  132 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 3  between the exposing substation  132  and the charging substation  131  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0028]    The exposing substation  132  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190  in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the image associated with a second color separation. The second separation may be exposed through the previously developed toner image, if necessary. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 132  through the exposing substation  132  The portion of photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 4  to reach the developing station  133 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 4  between the developing station  133  and the exposing substation  132  are predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed image. 
         [0029]    The developing station  133  develops the second color toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 133  through the developing station  133 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the second color toner image over the distance DT 133 . 
         [0030]    The photoconductive belt continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the charging substation  141 . The substation  141  charges the photoconductive belt  190 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 141  through the charging substation  141 . The charged photoconductive bet  190  then travels a distance D 5  to reach the exposing substation  142 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 5  between the exposing substation  142  and the charging substation  141  are predetermined to allow uniform charging the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0031]    The exposing substation  142  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190  in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the image associated with a third color separation. The third color separation may be exposed through the previously developed toner images, if necessary. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 142  through the exposing substation  142 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 6  to reach the developing station  143 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 6  between the developing station  143  and the exposing substation  142  are predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed images. 
         [0032]    The developing station  143  develops the third color toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 143  through the developing station  143 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the third color toner image over the distance DT 143 . 
         [0033]    The photoconductive belt continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the charging substation  151 . The charging substation  151  charges the photoconductive belt  190 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 151  through the charging substation  151 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 7  to reach the exposing substation  152 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 7  between the exposing substation  152  and the charging substation  151  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0034]    The exposing substation  152  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190  in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the image associated with a fourth color separation. The fourth color separation may be exposed through the previously developed toner image, if necessary. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 152  through the exposing substation  152 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 8  to reach the developing station  153 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 8  between the developing station  153  and the exposing substation  152  are predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed images. 
         [0035]    The developing station  153  develops the fourth color toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 153  through the developing station  153 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the fourth color toner image over the distance DT 153 . 
         [0036]    In this schematic diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the known image forming device  100  of  FIG. 1 , a fifth set of charging, exposing and developing stations are present to generate a fifth color toner image. In this exemplary embodiment, the photoconductive belt continues to move in a counterclockwise direction to the charging substation  161 . The charging substation  161  charges the photoconductive belt  190 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 161  through the charging substation  161 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 9  to reach the exposing substation  162 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 9  between the exposing substation  162  and the charging substation  161  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0037]    The exposing substation  162  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190 , in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the image associated with a fifth color separation. The fifth color separation may be exposed through the previously developed toner image, if necessary. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 162  through the exposing substation  162 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 10  to reach the developing station  166 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 10  between the developing station  166  and the exposing substation  162  are predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed images. 
         [0038]    The developing station  166  develops the fifth color toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 163  through the developing station  166 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the fifth color toner image over the distance DT 163 . 
         [0039]    It should be appreciated that the rate at which the belt may move through the stations is a function of the time required at each substation (i.e., dwell time), the distance through each substation and the distance between the substations within a particular station. 
         [0040]    It should also be appreciated that the fifth set of charging, exposing and developing stations are not absolutely required to generate the full-color image. These substations may be physically present and unused. In various exemplary embodiments, charging substation  121 , exposing substation  122  and developing station  123  are the substations reserved for an optional fifth color. 
         [0041]    Upon development of the image, the photoconductive belt  190  continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, through the pre-transfer station  170 . The pre-transfer station  170  prepares the image for transfer to a recording material  185  at the transfer station  186 . The recording material  185  is fed by the recording material housing  184  to the transfer station  186 , where the image is transferred from the photoconductive belt  190  to the recording material  185 . The recording material  185  then moves in the direction of  182  to the fixing device  188 . The fixing device  188  receives the recording material  185  and fixes, at least semi-permanently, the image onto the recording material  185 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart outlining a conventional method for generating images using an image forming device. Beginning in step S 100 , the operation proceeds to step S 200 , where initial image data is input. Then, in step S 300 , the photoconductive surface is charged, exposed and a first color toner image is developed at a first station. Next, in step S 400 , the photoconductive surface is charged, exposed and a second toner color image is developed at a second station. Operation then continues to step S 500 . 
         [0043]    In step S 500 , the photoconductive surface is charged, exposed and a third toner color image is developed at a third station. Then, in step S 600 , the photoconductive surface is charged, exposed and a fourth toner color image is developed at a fourth station. Next, in step S 700 , the final image is output. Operation of the method continue to step S 800 , where operation of the method stops. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram outlining one exemplary embodiment  200  of an image forming device for high speed monochrome printing. Under control of the controller  201 , the photoconductive belt  190  moves, in a counterclockwise direction, through the various substations located along the circumference of the photoconductive belt  190 . The photoconductive belt continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the charging substation  131 . The charging substation  131  charges the photoconductive belt  190 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 131  through the charging substation  131  to reach the exposing substation  132  where the photoconductive belt  190  is exposed, under control of the controller  201 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 132  between the exposing substation  132  and the charging substation  131  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  under control of the controller  201 . According to various exemplary embodiments, the exposing substation  132  may include, but is not limited to, a raster output scanner (ROS)  133  that generates exposure light. Other methods of exposure familiar to those skilled in the art, such as light emitting diode (LED) bars, and the like, may also be used. 
         [0045]    According to various exemplary embodiments, under control of the controller  201 , the photoconductive belt may continue to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the exposing substation  142  that includes the ROS  143 , where the photoconductive belt  190  is again exposed in an image-wise fashion to a similar exposure pattern produced by exposure station  132 , under control of the controller  201 . 
         [0046]    According to various exemplary embodiments, under control of the controller  201 , the ROS  143  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190 , in an additive manner to the previously exposed latent image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 142  through the exposing substation  142 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  may be predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed image. 
         [0047]    According to various exemplary embodiments, under control of the controller  201 , the photoconductive belt may continue to move, in a counterclockwise direction, to the exposing substation  152  that includes the ROS  153 , where the photoconductive belt  190  is again exposed in an image-wise fashion to a similar exposure pattern produced by exposure station  132 , under control of the controller  201 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 152  through the exposing substation  152 . 
         [0048]    In various exemplary embodiments, the photoconductive belt continues to move in a counterclockwise direction to the exposing substation  162  that includes the ROS  164 , where the photoconductive belt  190  is again exposed in an image-wise fashion to a similar exposure pattern produced by exposure station  132 , under control of the controller  201 . The ROS  164  exposes, in an image-wise fashion, that portion of the photoconductive belt  190  containing the previously exposed latent images. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance through the exposing substation  162 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 10  to reach the developing station  166 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 10  between the developing station  166  and the exposing substation  162  maybe predetermined to allow sufficient exposure of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190  through the previously exposed images. 
         [0049]    According to various exemplary embodiments, the exposing devices  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162  are of similar exposure power and characteristics. Also according to various exemplary embodiments, the sum total of the exposing powers of the exposing devices  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162  corresponds to the exposing power required to expose a monochrome image. This embodiment would not be limited, however, to systems whose sum total of the exposing powers of the exposing devices  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162  corresponds to the exposing power required to expose a monochrome image. For example, an exemplary embodiment would also include any subset of exposing devices  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162  should the subset possess the exposing power required to expose a monochrome image. 
         [0050]    Under control of the controller  201 , the developing station  166  develops the toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 163  through the developing station  166 . The speed of the photoconductive belt allows sufficient development of the toner image over the distance DT 163 . 
         [0051]    It should be appreciated that the rate at which the belt may move through the stations is a function of the time required at each substation (i.e., dwell time) and the distance through each substation. 
         [0052]    According to various exemplary embodiments, upon development of the image, the photoconductive belt  190  continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, through the pre-transfer station  170 , under control of the controller  201 . The pre-transfer station  170  prepares the image for transfer to a recording material  185  at the transfer station  186 . The recording material  185  is fed by the recording material housing  184  to the transfer station  186 , where the image is transferred from the photoconductive belt  190  to the recording material  185 . The recording material  185  then moves n the direction of  182  to the fixing device  188 . The fixing device  188  receives the recording material  185  and fixes, at least semi-permanently, the image onto the recording material  185 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for generating images using an image forming device. The method starts in step S 1000  and continues to step S 1100 , where the photoconductive belt is charged by a charging device. Next, control continues to step S 1200 , where the portion the photoconductive belt is being exposed to a first ROS. According to various exemplary embodiments, this first exposure corresponds to the exposure at the exposing device  132  of  FIG. 4 . Next, control continues to step S 1300 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt, circulating counterclockwise through the imaging device, is exposed to a second ROS. According to various exemplary embodiments, this second exposure corresponds to the exposure at the exposing device  142  of  FIG. 4 . Next, control continues to step S 1400 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt is exposed to a third ROS. According to various exemplary embodiments, this third exposure corresponds to the exposure at the exposing device  152  of  FIG. 4 . Next, control continues to step S 1500 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt is exposed to a fourth ROS. According to various exemplary embodiments, this fourth exposure corresponds to the exposure at the exposing device  162  of  FIG. 4 . Next, control continues to step S 1600 , where the image created on the portion of the photoconductive belt is developed. According to various exemplary embodiments, the development takes place at the developing station  166  of  FIG. 4 . Next, control continues to step S 1700 , where the method ends. 
         [0054]    According to various exemplary embodiments, the photoreceptor belt may be exposed by two, three, four or more Raster Output Scanners (ROS). It should be noted that to one skilled in the art, the number of ROSs used for exposure, whether it is one, two, three, four or more, may be a function of, for example, the exposure power available per ROS, the speed at which the photoreceptor  109  moves, and the like. Generally, the faster the photoreceptor moves, the more light per unit time is required to expose it. Hence, by utilizing ROSs  133 ,  143  and  153 , which, in the prior art illustrated in  FIG. 1 , would be idle during a monochrome printing process, it is possible to obviate the need to Increase the exposure power of ROS  164  when the printing system is operated at a higher process speed during a monochrome printing process. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an apparatus  300  for generating images using an image forming device according to an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , according to various exemplary embodiments, the photoconductive belt  190  moves, in a counterclockwise direction to the charging substation  131 , where the photoconductive belt  190  is charged under control of the controller  301 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  may then travel a distance DT 131  through the charging substation  131 . According to various exemplary embodiments, the charged photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance to reach the second charging substation  141 , where the substation  141  further charges the photoconductive belt  190  under control of the controller  301 . During charging, the charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 141  through the charging substation  141 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  may then travel a distance to reach the third charging substation  151 , where the charging substation  151  charges the photoconductive belt  190  under control of the controller  301 . During charging, the charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 151  through the charging substation  151 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  may then travel a distance to reach the fourth charging substation  161 , where the charging substation  161  charges the photoconductive belt  190  under control of the controller  301 . During charging, the charged photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 161  through the charging substation  161 . The charged photoconductive belt  190  may then travel a distance D 9  to reach the exposing substation  162 . In various exemplary embodiments, the speed of the photoconductive belt  190  and the distance D 9  between the exposing substation  162  and the charging substation  161  are predetermined to allow uniform charging of the portion of the photoconductive belt  190 . 
         [0056]    The exposing substation  162  exposes a portion of the photoconductive belt  190  in an image-wise fashion corresponding to the monochrome image to be printed. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 162  through the exposing substation  162 . The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  then travels a distance D 10  to reach the developing station  163 . The developing station  163  develops the monochrome toner image. The portion of the photoconductive belt  190  travels a distance DT 163  through the developing station  163 . The speed of the photoconductive belt must allow sufficient development of the toner image over the distance DT 163 . 
         [0057]    It should be appreciated that the rate at which the belt may move through the stations is a function of the time required at each substation (i.e., dwell time), the distance through each substation and the distance between the substations within a particular station. Upon development of the image, the photoconductive belt  190  continues to move, in a counterclockwise direction, through the pre-transfer station  170  The pre-transfer station  170  prepares the image for transfer to a recording material  185  at the transfer station  186 . The recording material  185  is fed by the recording material housing  184  to the transfer station  186 , where the image is transferred from the photoconductive belt  190  to the recording material  185 . The recording material  185  then moves in the direction of  182  to the fixing device  188 . The fixing device  188  receives the recording material  185  and fixes, at least semi-permanently, the image onto the recording material  185 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for generating images using an image forming device. The method starts in step S 2000  and continues to step S 2100 , where a portion of the photoconductive belt is charged by a first charging device such as, for example, the charging device  131  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2200 , where the portion the photoconductive belt is charged by a second charging device. According to various exemplary embodiments, during this step, the photoconductive belt moves counterclockwise and is charged by the charging device  141  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2300 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt, circulating counterclockwise through the imaging device, is charged by a third charging device. According to various exemplary embodiments, the third charging is performed by the charging device  151  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2400 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt is charged by a fourth charging device. According to various exemplary embodiments, this fourth charging is performed by the charging device  151  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2500 , where the portion of the photoconductive belt is exposed to an exposing device. According to various exemplary embodiments, this exposure corresponds to the exposure at the exposing device  162  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2600 , where the image created on the portion of the photoconductive belt is developed. According to various exemplary embodiments, the development takes place at the developing station  166  of  FIG. 6 . Next, control continues to step S 2700 , where the method ends. 
         [0059]    It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, and are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.