Abstract: A method for reducing rub-off from a substrate having a front side and a back side with at least one side bearing a toner or a printed image by depositing a substantially clear phase change composition on the image bearing side of the substrate as a plurality of dots, with the plurality of dots cumulatively covering an area of the image bearing side sufficient to reduce rub-off from the image bearing side. The dots may also be applied only to the images rather than both the image-bearing and non-image-bearing surfaces of the substrate and may be used on both the front side and the back side if both bear images.

Abstract: A method for reducing rub-off from a substrate having a front side and a back side with the front side, back side, or both sides bearing toner images, by depositing a substantially clear phase change composition on the front side, back side, or both sides of the substrate as a plurality of dots using a ribbon printer or a diffusion process printer, with the plurality of dots cumulatively covering an area of the front side, back side, or both sides sufficient to reduce rub-off from the toner image bearing sides. The dots may also be applied only to the images rather than both the image-bearing and non-image-bearing surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A proprietary printing system communicates over a communications network in a standard data format, such as SNMP. The proprietary printing system includes a database, such as a SQL database, that represents the MIB tables for the SNMP interface. The database translates information from a proprietary data format into the standard data format and places the information in the MIB tables.

Abstract: A printer may detect a mismatch between print job attributes and available printer resources. The printer may then determine one or more options to correct the mismatch and may display these options on a user interface screen. The printer may then receive a selection of one of the options, for example from a printer operator. Based on the selection, the printer may take an action to resolve the mismatch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for taking up the slack in the web material between the supply roller and the take-up roller in the web cleaning assembly of an electrophotographic apparatus. A clutch mechanism is positioned between the drive gear on the take-up roller and the hub of the motor that drives the drive gear. A spring-biased pawl on the hub engages a tooth of an inner gear on the drive gear to provide a driving connection between the hub and the take-up gear when the motor drives the hub in a first direction but effectively releases the driving connection when the take-up gear is manually rotated while the motor is idle. This allows the take-up roller to be rotated to take up the slack in the web without having to rotate the motor.

Abstract: An image-forming machine has a development station with a dusting control system that generates a flow barrier adjacent to a development region.

Abstract: A method is provided for substantially matching a first output produced by a first marking device with a second output produced by a second marking device. A first set of sample tone levels is produced using the first marking device. A second set of sample tone levels is then produced using the second marking device. The first and second sets of sample tone levels are then compared and one or more calibration set points are determined. A custom tone transfer function associated with the first marking device is generated in accordance with the calibration set points. The first output is then produced from the first marking device using the custom tone transfer function.

Abstract: A method of determining a number of sequentially ordered pages in an ordered media set. The method includes associating the ordered media set with an entry in a paper catalog in response to an input on an interface. The method also includes reading an identifier for the ordered media set from the entry. The identifier includes the number of sequentially ordered pages in the ordered media set.

Abstract: A development station has a developer flow monitoring system for an image-forming machine. The developer flow monitoring system senses the material flow of a developer in the development station.

Abstract: Methods for detecting mismatches between print job attributes and printer resources and capabilities that arise after rendering of the print job has begun but before rendering is complete. The method involves detecting the mismatch, placing the print job in a mismatch state and notifying the operator through the printer user interface that a given problem has occurred on a given page.

Abstract: An image-forming system with a graphic user interface having an interconnection architecture where software applications share one or more plug-in packages. One of the software applications may be used as a plug-in.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for locking one element to another with a gimbal lock without castoring about a gimbal axis. In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus and method for a roller transfer assembly for use in a reproduction apparatus are provided that accurately positions the roller transfer assembly in operative relation with a dielectric member of a reproduction apparatus with an anti-castor gimbal locking coupling.

Abstract: This invention provides an image-forming machine with a conditioned cleaning system, which may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, a toning station, and a cleaning station. Toner is applied to image areas and toner lubrication areas on the photoconductor. The toner essentially provides a lubricating or protective barrier between the cleaning station and the photoconductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming machine having a photoconductor forming a surface and a toning station adjacent the surface. The toning station has at least one roller for supplying toner near the surface. Additionally, the image-forming machine has a replenisher station for supplying toner to the toning station. The replenisher station includes a moving part connected with the replenisher station, and a control device located near the moving part. The control device monitors the movement of the moving part and generates a timing signal in response. The present invention also provides a method for detecting toner clogging in a replenisher station for an image-forming machine. The method includes monitoring the movement of a moving part connected with the replenisher station, generating a timing signal in response to the movement of the moving part, and determining whether toner is clogged in the replenisher station based upon the timing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the root causes of image artifacts visible in the printed output of an electrophotographic printer, activating a special operating mode for the marking engine, and referencing the printing process intentionally to each rotating member of the electrophotographic process in turn. The referencing insures that image artifacts and/or non-uniformities originating from each rotating member are visible in the same location on each printed output. Since the rotating members employed are intentionally designed to be different in diameter, the referencing of the printing process to each one of the rotating members in conjunction with variable receiver sizes enables an operator to associate each image artifact or non-uniformity with a specific rotating member causing it. The appearance of image artifacts is enhanced through zero offset voltage printing and flat-field exposure of the rotating member images as appropriate.

Abstract: Information associated with a table of tabs is scanned into the memory of the job preparation station. Responsive to the information associated with the table of tabs, the job preparation station is able to modify this information. In one aspect, there is a method for modifying at least one document in a printing machine having a display device. The printing machine is able to determine a location of at least one marker on the at least one document. The printing machine is able to display the location of the at least one marker on the display device. The printing machine is also able to modify the at least one marker. At least one modified document is generated in response to the modified at least one marker.

Abstract: Methods for selecting finishing devices to perform finishing operations on a print run. The print job contains demands for which finishing operations must be performed on the print run. The printing device contains suggestions for which finishing operations may, but need not, be performed on the print run. In operation, the printing device selects a finishing device that can perform all demands and a maximum number of suggestions. The suggested finishing operations are stored in a memory of the printing device and may be defaults or entered by a printer operator. Upon selecting the finishing device, the printing device directs the print run to the selected finishing device for processing.

Abstract: A printing system comprises at least one input source for storing a medium prior to printing or otherwise operating on the medium and a second input source to store at least one set of an ordered media comprising a plurality of sheets having different physical characteristics. A central processing unit stores a graphical representation of the set of ordered media. Upon the occurrence of a jam in the printing system, the central processing unit determines which sheet of the set of ordered media is the correct one to recover to. The central processing unit generates a graphical representation indicating the correct sheet of the set of ordered media to be recovered to and displays the representation on a display for the operator.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a first input source to store a first medium and a second input source to store at least one set of an ordered media. The set of ordered media comprises a plurality of sheets having different physical characteristics. A user interface includes an input device for a user to select a first part of the ordered media set to be used in a print job and a second unwanted part of the ordered media to be discarded. A shredder is connected to the printing system. A central processing unit is configured to receive input from the user interface and send the first part or the ordered media to a job output and the second part of the ordered media to the shredder.

Abstract: A process for forming non-spherical toner particles by limited coalescence comprises: forming an organic phase comprising a polymeric material, a pigment, a quaternary ammonium tetraphenylborate salt, a phosphonium salt polymer formed by condensation of at least one dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic ester monomer with at least one diol monomer, at least one of the acid or ester monomers including a triarylphosphonium salt group, and a water-immiscible liquid; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase containing a solid colloidal stabilizer; forming a suspension of small droplets of the organic phase in the aqueous phase by high shear agitation; removing the water-immiscible liquid from the small droplets, thereby forming a suspension of small solid particles in the aqueous phase; and separating and drying the solid particles, which are toner particles having a non-spherical shape.