Abstract: A system for detecting the level of a media supply in a printer has a frame having a support for seating the printer thereon. A first light source is positioned on the support and is energizable to direct a first beam of light into the printer. A first detector is positioned on the support and provides an analog signal in response to reflection of the first beam of light from within the printer. A control logic processor is in signal communication with the first detector and compares the analog signal to a stored/predetermined value and reports a low media condition according to the comparison.

Abstract: A system for detecting the level of a media supply in a printer has a frame having a support for seating the printer thereon. A first light source is positioned on the support and is energizable to direct a first beam of light into the printer. A first detector is positioned on the support and provides an analog signal in response to reflection of the first beam of light from within the printer. A control logic processor is in signal communication with the first detector and compares the analog signal to a stored/predetermined value and reports a low media condition according to the comparison.

Abstract: A medical self-service kiosk. The kiosk includes a housing, a display, a turntable, and a printer. The display is disposed on a front side of the housing for accepting instructions from a user. An output tray is configured as an opening on the front side of the housing to receive a print generated by the printer in response to an instruction from a user using the display. A panel, located on the front side of the housing, is moveable between a closed position and an open position to access the interior of the housing. The turntable and printer are disposed within the interior of the housing and are rotatable about an axis, such that a printer's supply area is accessible by a user when the panel is in the open position.

Abstract: A bearing retainer including a flange having a front surface and a rear surface, a hub extending from the front surface and having an exterior surface configured to receive and support a looped extension spring and having an interior forming a bearing pocket, and at least one resilient finger initially extending from the rear surface and having a curve so as to extend toward and beyond the front surface and including at least one retainer tab extending from a surface opposite the hub and positioned on the rear surface side relative to the flange. The resilient finger is configured to be deflectable from a free position toward the hub in response to a deflection force to enable a portion of the resilient finger including the retainer tab to be inserted through an opening in a wall and to substantially return to the free position upon release of the deflection force such that the wall is held between the retainer tab and rear surface, thereby securing the bearing retainer within the opening.

Abstract: A modular sheet output system includes a first tray and a sorter assembly including a transporter and a plurality of trays. The transporter has a primary transport path and a plurality of secondary transport paths branching from the primary transport path, each secondary transport path having an exit.

Abstract: A bearing retainer including a flange having a front surface and a rear surface, a hub extending from the front surface and having an exterior surface configured to receive and support a looped extension spring and having an interior forming a bearing pocket, and at least one resilient finger initially extending from the rear surface and having a curve so as to extend toward and beyond the front surface and including at least one retainer tab extending from a surface opposite the hub and positioned on the rear surface side relative to the flange. The resilient finger is configured to be deflectable from a free position toward the hub in response to a deflection force to enable a portion of the resilient finger including the retainer tab to be inserted through an opening in a wall and to substantially return to the free position upon release of the deflection force such that the wall is held between the retainer tab and rear surface, thereby securing the bearing retainer within the opening.

Abstract: An idler wheel assembly including a shaft having a first diameter and including at least one circumferential groove, the shaft having second diameter less than the first diameter at the groove, and at least one idler wheel. The idler wheel includes a rim having an outside diameter greater than the first diameter and a split hub concentric with and coupled to the rim and having a normally circular shape with an inner diameter less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter, wherein upon compression of the rim the split hub is configured to deflect from the normally circular shape such that the inner diameter of the split hub increases to exceed at least the first diameter to enable the split hub to be slid over the shaft to the groove, and upon removal of the compression to the rim, the split hub is configured to return to the normally circular shape such that the split hub fits into and is retained within the groove and is free to spin about the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the direction of transport of a sheet by about 75° to about 90° comprising: a first flat guide for contacting the leading edge of a sheet transported along a path to change its direction of transport by an acute angle; a second flat or concavely curved guide spaced from the first guide for contacting the leading edge of the sheet to change to direction of transport by an acute angle wherein the change of direction of transport of the sheet by the first and second guides totals about 75° to about 90°, the second concavely curved guide providing accumulation of the proper amount of sheet required to change the direction of transport of the sheet by the about 75° to about 90°.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering film in a drum scanner assembly including: a horizontally oriented concave curved film platen having first and second horizontal edge regions and third and fourth curved side edge regions connected between first and second edge regions, the concave, curved film platen having a curved surface defining a curved film path from the first edge region to the second edge region; a plurality of slider assemblies having film engagement members mounted relative to the platen to engage film fed into the film platen, the film engagement members being independently slidable within the slider assemblies; and means for simultaneously moving the slider assemblies according to the size of film to be fed onto the film platen such that all of the film engagement members are aligned across the platen in a direction perpendicular to the film path; wherein as film is fed onto the film platen from the first edge region along the curved film path toward the second edge region, the leading edge of the fil

Abstract: In an internal drum scanner assembly having a curved platen for supporting media during exposure by a laser image scanner, media positioning apparatus comprising: a media feed device for feeding media onto the curved platen; and an assembly for pushing the media out of the feed device into the scanning region of the platen so that a borderless image can be produced on the media.

Abstract: In an internal drum scanner assembly having a curved platen for supporting media during exposure by a laser image scanner, media positioning apparatus comprising: a media feed device for feeding media onto the curved platen; and an assembly for pushing the media out of the feed device into the scanning region of the platen so that a borderless image can be produced on the media.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering film in a drum scanner assembly comprising: a horizontally oriented concave curved film platen having first and second horizontal edge regions and third and fourth curved side edge regions connected between first and second edge regions, the concave, curved film platen having a curved surface defining a curved film path from the first edge region to the second edge region; a plurality of slider assemblies having film engagement members mounted relative to the platen to engage film fed into the film platen, the film engagement members being independently slidable within the slider assemblies; and means for simultaneously moving the slider assemblies according to the size of film to be fed onto the film platen such that all of the film engagement members are aligned across the platen in a direction perpendicular to the film path; wherein as film is fed onto the film platen from the first edge region along the curved film path toward the second edge region, the leading edge of the fi

Abstract: A film supply system for use within a photosensitive film imager. The film supply system includes a cartridge receiving apparatus and a film pick-up mechanism. The cartridge receiving apparatus includes a tray, a guide frame and an elevator mechanism. The guide frame is configured to be disposed within an imager housing. The tray includes a floor and extending walls for maintaining a film cartridge and is pivotably received by the guide frame. The tray further defines a cartridge insertion passage and moves between an elevated position and a retracted position relative to the guide frame. In the elevated position, the cartridge insertion passage is normal to a film travel path of the imager. Finally, the elevator mechanism is disposed within the imager housing and drives the tray between the elevated position and the retracted position. The film pick-up mechanism includes a retention frame, a drive frame, a drive means, a heel plate, and a cup plate.

Abstract: A film supply system for use within a photosensitive film imager. The film supply system includes a cartridge receiving apparatus and a film pick-up mechanism. The cartridge receiving apparatus includes a tray, a guide frame and an elevator mechanism. The guide frame is configured to be disposed within an imager housing. The tray includes a floor and extending walls for maintaining a film cartridge and is pivotably received by the guide frame. The tray further defines a cartridge insertion passage and moves between an elevated position and a retracted position relative to the guide frame. In the elevated position, the cartridge insertion passage is normal to a film travel path of the imager. Finally, the elevator mechanism is disposed within the imager housing and drives the tray between the elevated position and the retracted position. The film pick-up mechanism includes a retention frame, a drive frame, a drive means, a heel plate, and a cup plate.

Abstract: A magazine storage system for storing and retrieving recording strips. The system includes a magazine, having shelves for storing the strips, and a loop-shaped drive. The strips are transported between the magazine and the drive by conduits having air jets emanating from holes therein. The system provides rapid access to large amounts of stored information.