Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Glossary Terms Definitions Notes

A
Accumulator The accumulator is typically a belt that collects the four separate color images, to
create a composite color image.
ADC Automatic Density Control: a printer system that senses the light reflected off a test
patch of toner, and adjusts toner density based on the measurement.
or
Analog-to-Digital Converter: an electronic device that converts an analog signal into a
digital signal.
ADF Automatic Document Feeder
Additive Primaries Red, Blue, and Green (RGB) — primary colors that mix fo form other colors. link
Autofit A copier setting that shrinks the size of the image to fit on the paper. For example, the
copier can automatically reduce Legal-size documents to fit on Letter-size paper.
B
Background Noise Copy mode improving output quality when copies made from two-sided originals on
thin paper show some of the text or images from the back side of the paper.
BCR Bias Charge Roller — places a uniform charge on the photo conductor at the
beginning of the Xerographic process.
Bit Depth The number of bits of information a scanner can capture for each pixel scanned. link
Scanners with a greater bit depth can more accurately record slight variations in colors
or gray scales. Bit depth for monochrome scanners is expressed in a single value
representing grayscale (example: 12-bit). Bit depth for color scanners is expressed in a
value representing the combined bit values for C, M, and Y (example: 36-bits = 12 bits
each for C, M, & Y).
Bitmap A type of image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from link
the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, or a spatially
mapped array of bits. Now it commonly refers to the similar concept of a spatially
mapped array of pixels. Raster images in general may be referred to as bitmaps.
Booklet A copy or print mode that places images onto each side of a sheet of paper, and in the
correct order, so the output can fold into a booklet.
Brightness Also referred to as Lightness, defines how dark or light a color is in terms of black and
white.
BTR Bias Transfer Roller — charges the print media to transfer toner during the
Xerographic process.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
C
C Cyan toner or ink, as in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK.
CCD Charge Coupled Device — optical device used by most flatbed scanners to capture link
images.
CED Fax: Called Terminal Identifier signal — 2100Hz tone identifying the answering
machine as a G3 Fax.
CFR Fax: Confirm Receive. Sent by the target device to confirm reception of signals and
data.
Chain Link Codes Error codes generated by the printer’s operating system and displayed on the Control
Panel and included on the Error History Report. Codes indicate hardware errors or
failure and identify the problem subsystem.
CIS Contact Image Sensor — device used by low-end scanners to capture images.
Cleaning Unit Also called the Maintnenance Kit in solid ink products, this device applies oil to the
Drum and cleans the Drum surface prior to imaging.
CMS Color Management System — software applications designed to help with color
matching. Examples include ColorSync and PhaserMatch. These systems coordinate
the gamut of different devices with the goal of reproducing color on screen and in
print consistently. The CMS defines the method used to convert colors between color
models.
CMYK Color Model A color model based on the subtractive primary colors, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and link
blacK, used by printers to reproduce colors.
CNG Fax: CalliNg siGnal — 1100 Hz tone identifies the calling machine as a G3 device.
Cold Offset Incomplete fusing. The toner image is not completely fused to the paper and the
image easily rubs off.
Collation The process of printing copies of multiple-page documents in the correct numerical
sequence.
Color By Words A Xerox feature that allows users to fine-tune color output, based on words or phrases
they select to describe the desired effect.
Color Calibration Adjusts the settings of a printer or MFP to ensure the colors are within hardware
specifications.
Color Corrections Software adjustments that modify the way a printer processes and prints color
information.
Color Registration Describes how precisely the individual CMYK color planes align with each other.
Incorrect color registration occurs due to variations in engine imaging components.
Most color laser/LED printers automatically adjust registration when a new Toner
Cartridge or Imaging Unit is installed.
ColorSync A color management system provided by Apple for Mac OS computers to adjust colors link
as the computer sends the file.
Composite Black Black that is created using a combination of Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow pigments. In
some cases black pigment is added to make it darker. Also called Rich Black.
Consumables Consumable supply parts have a life rating typically based on the number of pages
that can be printed before the part has to be replaced. Toner Cartridges are
consumables.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
Continuous Tone Refers to printers that can vary the size and/or intensity of halftoning dots to create
an image.
Contrast A copy setting to adjust density of ink, usually to compensate for poor quality
originals.
Copying Capturing a hardcopy/printed document and duplicating it as another hardcopy/
printed document.
CPU Central Processing Unit — used in computers and printers to process digital data. link
Crossover Cable A type of Ethernet cable used to connect computing devices together directly where
they would normally be connected via a network switch, hub or router.
CRU Customer Replaceable Unit — user-replaceable components such as imaging units.
CRUM Customer Replaceable Unit Memory — a small device installed into components, such
as toner cartridges or imaging units, to track usage. Data stored in CRUMs usuallly
transfers with the supply.
CVT Constant Velocity Transport — a scanning mechanism that moves the paper over the
scan head at a constant speed to capture the image.
CWIS CentreWare Internet Services — the web server built into many Xerox products for
remote device management.
D
DADF Duplexing Automatic Document Feeder — See ADF — ADF that scans both sides of
originals.
DCN Fax: DisCoNnect — Signal sent by sending machine that transmission is complete;
both hang up.
Descreen Scan driver setting used to minimize moiré patterns.
Deskew The process of aligning a sheet of paper with the paper path.
Development Within the Xerographic process, attracting toner to the latent image on the OPC
surface.
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol — a computer networking protocol used by link
hosts (DHCP clients) to retrieve IP address assignments and other configuration
information.
Dither Dithering is a technique used to create the illusion of new colors and shades by
varying the pattern of dots. (See Halftone.)
Dot Gain The spreading of a dot of ink or toner when it is applied to the paper.
DPI Dots Per Inch — a measurement of resolution, or output sharpness.
Drum Also called the Cleaning Unit in solid ink products, this device applies oil to the Drum
Maintnenance Kit and cleans the Drum surface prior to imaging.
DSL Digital Subscriber Line — a family of technologies that provides digital data
transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. See xDSL.
Duplex The term used to describe two-sided, or 2-sided printing, where the printer applies ink/
toner to both sides of the page.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
E
EA Toner Emulsion Aggregation, or chemical toner — has rounder particles that are more
uniformly shaped compared to conventional toner. Developed by Xerox, this toner is
“grown” rather than “pulverized.”
EIP Extensible Interface Platform — A Xerox software platform allowing developers to use
standard web based tools to create and configure server based applications that
interact with the product UI.
Energy Star®. A program created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental link
Protection Agency to define guidelines for power consumption and energy
conservation.
EOP Fax: End Of Procedure — Sending machine indicates it is finished sending.
ESD Electro-Static Discharge — static voltages that can cause damage when handling link
electrical components.
F
Faceplate On solid ink printheads, the front surface of the jet stack, where the jet nozzles are
located.
Fault History Control Panel menu or embedded page that lists the page count and error code when
the machine detects an error.
Faxing (Facsimile Transmittal) The action of capturing a hardcopy/printed document and
sending it over phone lines to another machine. Usually also includes printing it.
FCOT First Copy Out Time — the amount of time required to generate a complete copy
when the device is warmed up and ready.
FEK Feature Enablement Kits can add services like Fax or Network Scanning to an MFP.
Also see PEK.
Finishing Options Features such as collation, offset stacks, staples, hole punch
Firmware The operating system stored within a device.
Flatbed Scanner Optical scanning device that captures digital images of original documents by placing
them onto a platen or document glass.
FPOT First Page Out Time — the amount of time required to generate a complete print
when the printer is warmed up and ready.
Fonts Define the appearance of characters that appear either on-screen or on a printed link
page. Characteristics of fonts include the typeface, size, spacing, and pitch. Font size,
or height, is measured in points, where 72 points equal one vertical inch.
Footprint Physical space or area occupied by a product or device.
Fusing The process of adhering toner to the media during the Xerographic process, typically
using heat and pressure.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
G
Gamut The range of colors a device can reproduce.
GDI Graphics Device Interface page description language. link
GIF Graphics Interchange Format — a bitmap image format that has come into
widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability.
Gray Scale Images using only shades of black and white, where tints of black represent different
colors and intensities.
H
Hot Offset The undesirable transfer of toner particles from the developed toner image on paper
to the surface of the heated fuser, causing ghost images to form on subsequent
copies.
Halftoning Halftoning is the process of layering dots of primary colors in different patterns to
simulate a larger range of colors. Halftones consist of dot patterns which trick the
human eye into blending colors. Sometimes black & white or gray scale photos are
called “halftones” because they must be broken up into a dot pattern for traditional
press printing. (See dither.)
Hard Stop A troubleshooting technique that interrupts the device when printing to determine
which stage of the print process or paper path is causing a problem.
HFSI High Frequency Service Item.
HSL Color model based on Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. This model is also known as the
HSB model, for Hue, Saturation, and Brightness.
Hue Defines the color of an object.
HVPS High Voltage Power Supply
I
ICC International Color Consortium, an organization that defines color standards for link
digital devices.
ICC Profile A data file containing information about the color gamut of a printer or output device.
Mostly used with ICC color management software, such as ICC Color Matching or
ColorSync.
IIT Image Input Terminal — typically the scanner on an MFP.
Image For the purpose of printing, an image is the replica of the document the machine is
printing, copying, or faxing. Also individual graphics, such as photographs or
illustrations, as separate from text.
Image Retriever Software that provides fully automated retrieval of scanned images directly from the
MFP back to individual desktops or to a network folder.
Imaging Unit One of the primary user replaceable components in a laser or LED printing device,
imaging units typically contain an OPC drum for imaging and rollers for charging and
cleaning.
Impression Some machines record page count as the number of impressions made to prevent
confusion with 2-sided pages — one paper with both sides printed = two impressions.
Ink Discoloration A solid ink output quality issue, where extended exposure to high temperature causes
a color shift in the melted ink.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
Ink Stick A supply item for solid ink products.
Intelligent Ready Automated system designed into some Xerox products to monitor usage. Intelligent
Mode Ready warms up the device when it is most likely to be used and places it in Power
Saver mode when it is normally not in use.
Interlacing The process used in solid ink products to mix the output of adjacent Printhead jets,
thus minimizing differences in color intensity between the individual jets.
Interlock Switch These safety switches stop all machine function when a door or cover is opened.
Technicians often bypass an Interlock Switch during a service call to enable them to
operate the machine with doors and covers open.
Interpolated Resolution value greater than a device’s optical or print resolution, achieved using
Resolution software to create the missing image data.
IOT Image Output Terminal, also called the Print Engine.
IP Board Image Processor Board — converts image data into electrical signals for the print
engine. Also called ESS, Copy, or Network controller.
J
Jet Nozzles On solid ink Printheads, jet nozzles produce the individual drops of ink.
Jet Stack On solid ink Printheads, the front portion constructed of several metal plates, which
includes the jet nozzles.
Jet Substitution A special mode to correct weak or missing jets by using an adjacent jet to print the
area normally covered by the problem jet.
Job Accounting Feature of CentreWare Internet Services that stores information about printed jobs in
a log file, tracking resources used by individuals or groups.
JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group — a digital file format for scanned images, usually
compressed to save file space.
K
K Black toner or ink, as in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK.
L
Landscape Print media orientation, where the top and bottom edges of the sheet are longer than
the left and right edges of the sheet.
Laser Printing Printing that uses a Laser Unit or Raster Output Scanner (ROS) to perform the
exposure step in the Xerographic process.
Latent Image Portion of the OPC surface discharged by the laser or LED printhead during the
Xerographic process.
Layout/ How is the job formatted? Portrait/landscape, Reduce/enlarge, N-up, Booklet, Duplex/
Orientation 2-sided printing
LED Light Emitting Diode. LED printers use a LED printhead instead of a laser unit to
perform the exposure step in the Xerographic process.
LEF Long-Edge Feed — the method of transporting media through the paper path by
advancing the long-edge first.
Light Stripes On solid ink prints, light vertical stripes or lines indicate one or more Printhead jets are
blocked by air bubbles or debris.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
Lightness Defines how dark or light a color is in terms of black and white. Also see Brightness.
Line Screen (LPI) The size of a halftone cell is measured in LPI, or Lines (of cells) Per Inch. This is
sometimes called a line screen, screen frequency, or halftone screen.
LVPS Low Voltage Power Supply
M
M Magenta toner or ink, as in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK.
Maintnenance Kit Also called the Cleaning Unit in solid ink products, this device applies oil to the Drum
and cleans the Drum surface prior to imaging.
Manual Feed The ability of a printer to feed media by hand, typically by using a manual feed slot or
tray.
MCF Fax: Message ConFirmation. Receiver confirms receipt.
Metamerism An effect where the color of something actually changes in different lighting. The
surface of the object reflects different wavelengths of light in different lighting.
MFP / MFD Multi Function Printer/Multi Function Device — a printer with a scanner that performs
at least two of the following functions: print, copy, scan, or fax.
Missing Jet A completely blocked jet nozzle on a solid ink Printhead.
Moiré An undesirable herringbone, crosshatched, or dotted halftone pattern. link
Monochrome Consisting of a single color.
MPT Multi-Purpose Tray
N
Neutral Colors Colors without hue such as white, gray, or black.
NSF/CSI/DIS Fax: Non-Standard Facilities, Called Subscriber Identification, Digital Identification
Signal — signals returned by target machine.
NSS/TSI/DCS Fax: Non-Standard Setup, Transmitting Subscriber Identification, Digital Command
Signal — responses sent by calling machine to NSF/CSI/DIS.
Nudger An alternative name for the Pick Roller; the one that propels media out of a tray.
N-Up Print or copy mode that places 2, 4, 6, 9, or 16 page images on one side of the output
sheet.
O
OCR Optical Character Recognition — software that translates scanned text to editable
text.
OmniPage OCR software that converts hardcopy documents into editable text.
Optical Resolution The maximum number of pixels per inch a scanner can capture.
Organic Photo Drum or belt with a photosensitive (light-sensitive) surface where the image is created
Conductor (OPC) during the Xerographic process.
Output Quality The quality of printed output refers to how nice, sharp, clear, and clean a printout
looks.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
P
Palette The range of colors to choose from.
PANTONE Colors PANTONE is a company that developed a standard set of colors that can be matched link
across printing devices. PANTONE has many libraries of colors; the most common
include the coated paper 4-color process (CMYK) library and the PANTONE spot color
library.
Paper Handling Settings that determine how products select paper for printing. Examples include tray
selection, paper size, and paper type.
PaperPort Software used to scan, search, and organize documents and photographs on a
personal PC and across a network.
PBX Private Branch Exchange
PCL Page Command Language page description language. link
PDF Adobe Portable Document Format is a digital file format that can be universally read
using free reader software (www.adobe.com)
PDL Page Description Language — the PDL provides a method of describing the contents
of a page to an output device, such as a printer. Common PDLs are PostScript, PCL,
and GDI.
PEK Product Enablement Kits can add services like Fax or Network Scanning to an MFP.
Also see FEK.
Percent Coverage The amount of a printed page that is covered with toner or ink.
PEST Print Engine Self Tests — used primarily in solid ink products to verify power supplies
and check motors, clutches, and solenoids for general functionality.
PhaserMatch ICC A Xerox program designed to create custom color corrections for some Xerox color
printers and MFPs.
PhaserSMART Built-in tool provides access to online troubleshooting information for some networked
Xerox products.
Piezo-electric In solid ink Printheads, a drive waveform flexes the crystals, causing the corresponding
crystals jet nozzles to produce drops of ink.
PING Command for testing the ability of devices to communicate over a TCP/IP network. link
PIX Fax: (Not an acronym) Fax image data stream. Called Facsimile Coded Data in
Group 3.
Pixel The smallest element of a monitor or screen.
Platen Document glass area of the scanner.
Port Monitor Software that can be used to manage communications between printer drivers and
printers.
Portrait Print media orientation, where the top and bottom edges of the sheet are shorter than
the left and right edges of the sheet.
POST Power On Self Test — normally performed immediately after turning on the power
switch to verify basic communications and other system controller functions.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
PostScript Error Type of error that can occur when the printer receives incomplete or invalid
instructions from the computer. Can also be caused by corrupt files or poor data
transmissions.
Predominate Light On solid ink prints, these light streaks or missing bands of color appear on the output
Stripes when sections of the image get smeared or scraped off the Drum.
Preheater A device in solid ink products that warms the media to improve ink adhesion.
Printer A device that receive instructions from computers to generate hardcopy output.
Printing The action of sending a digital file to a printer, which converts it to printed output.
PrintingScout A troubleshooting and status reporting tool available for some Xerox printers is
connected to a TCP/IP network.
Process Color A color created by a combination of CMYK colors. link
Process Direction The direction paper moves through the printer, also referred to as inboard-to-
outboard.
Profile File that provides color information for specific devices including monitors, scanners,
and printers. ICC profiles are a cross-platform standard widely used today.
Proof Output from a digital file to show color, image resolution, and data accuracy before
the file is output to press is called a proof. Also referred to as “comps” or “rough
proofs,” designers use them to show clients to give them an idea of what the final will
be.
Protocol Network data delivery format such as TCP/IP.
PS PostScript page description language.
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network — the public telephone system.
PWB Printed Wiring Board — same as circuit board.
Q
Quality Subjective term relating to visual expectations by the customer and others associated
with a print, copy, or scan job.
R
RAP Repair Analysis Procedure — the recommended repair procedure outlined in the
Service Manual.
Raster A rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, that make up a bit mapped image.
RegiCon To avoid color shift, RegiCon measures and aligns printer components, ensuring
(Registration precise color alignment. It is performed automatically and all functions are
Control) electronically controlled.
Rendering Printers render images when they convert data to printed output.
Rendering Intent A Rendering Intent defines how the printer converts and maps colors that are out of
gamut for CMYK printing. Mostly used with device independent color models, like HSL
or LAB color.
Resolution Describes the sharpness and clarity of an image, usually measured in dots or pixels per
inch. Image resolution, or source file resolution refers to how the image looks in a
computer monitor. Output or Print resolution refers to how the image looks when
printed.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
RGB Color Model The additive primary colors, Red, Green, and Blue, used by monitors to reproduce link
colors.
RIP Raster Image Processing — the process of converting computer job data into link
electrical signals for the print engine.
RMI Routine Maintenance Item — customer-replaceable printer parts, such as feed rollers
or imaging units, that wear out and need replacing over the life of the printer.
ROS Raster Output Scanner — also called a Laser Unit. Houses a laser, rotating mirrors, and
lenses to direct the imaging Xerography step.
Run Black Feature that allows color products to continue printing using black only when one or
more color toners or inks have been depleted.
S
Saturation The intensity or richness of a color.
Scan Direction The direction in which the laser beam scans across the page, usually from side-to-side.
Scanning The action of capturing a hardcopy/printed document and saving it as a digital
document.
Secondary Colors Color produced when mixing two primary colors. Secondary colors for the Subtractive link
Color Model (CMYK) are red, green, and blue. Secondary colors for the Additive Color
Model (RGB) are cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Separator Page Sheets inserted by the printing device between each page of a job, between collated
sets, or at the end of a job.
Short-Edge Feed Short-Edge Feed is the method of transporting media through the paper path by
(SEF) advancing the short-edge first.
Simplex The term used to describe single-sided, or 1-sided printing.
SMPS Switched-Mode Power Supply.
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol — an Internet standard for e-mail transmission across
Internet Protocol (IP) networks
Solid Ink Xerox printing technology using inks that are solid when handled by users, but are
melted inside the device for use during the print process.
Spot Colors An color used by a printing press, in addition to CMYK, to increase the gamut of the link
press.
Sputtering Jet An intermittently blocked jet nozzle on a solid ink Printhead.
Subtractive Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and blacK (CMYK). link
Primaries
Sustainability Developing products that meet today's needs without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
T
TCF Fax: Training Check. Devices negotiate speed, compression, etc.
Templates (Scan) A set of instructions for the scanner to simplify network scanning.
TIFF Tagged Image File Format — a specific digital file format for scanned images. link
Toner The colored powder used in laser and LED printers. Toner may be dual-component or
mono-component. Dual-component toner uses carrier beads to transport the toner
and brush it against the OPC drum. Also see EA Toner.
Transfer The process of moving toner from the OPC to the media during the Xerographic
process.
Transfix Roller In solid ink products, this roller applies pressure to the back side of the media,
transferring the image from the Drum to the media.
TWAIN Industry standard scanner driver. TWAIN is not an acronym. link
U
UI User Interface — may be software (print or scan drivers) or hardware (control panel).
Underprinting The process of creating a more natural-looking black by layering some Cyan, Magenta,
andYellow pigments underneath the black.
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply.
Usage Profile An internally-generated report that details printer usage.
USB Universal Serial Bus — a communications port used for local connections. link
V
Vector Mathematical formula that describes a curve or line that represents part of an image.
VoIP/FoIP Voice over IP/Fax over IP — sending voice or fax signals over an Ethernet network.
VoX Refers to a number of technologies for transmitting voice calls over an infrastructure
other than the PSTN.
W
Waste Ink Tray In solid ink products, this tray collects waste ink during the Printhead cleaning process.
Weak Jet An partially blocked jet nozzle on a solid ink Printhead.
White Reference Scanners use this strip to self-calibrate, compensating for changes in lamp intensity
Strip and color due to aging.
WIA Windows Image Acquisition — scan driver included in the Windows operating system. link
X
X-axis In solid ink products, motion across the Drum, or cross-process direction is called x-axis
motion.
xDSL Usually refers to Asymmetric DSL (ADSL), but there are other types: Symmetric DSL link
(SDSL), Gigabit DSL (GDSL), High Data Rate DSL (HDSL). (Potential Circular Reference:
do we have DSL defined anywhere? Itís not in the PDF at this time.)
Xerography Process used by laser and LED printers to create images using electrical charges to link
attract and transfer toner.

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 Glossary Terms Definitions Notes
Y
Y Yellow toner or ink, as in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK.
Y-axis In solid ink products, motion in the paper path or process direction is called y-axis
motion.
Z

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