Abstract: An encoder idler roll includes an integral idler roll/encoder structure that forms an enclosed housing with a portion of the surface of the idler roll becoming the inner race for the encoder, as well as, the media encoding surface. Additionally, this integral idler/encoder configuration minimizes run out, improves tolerances between parts and stabilizes clearances between the idler roll and its support shaft.

Abstract: Sheet registration method and system includes transporting a sheet including a leading edge and a trailing edge between a first and second sensor. The first and second sensors each have a linear sensing area with a longitudinal axis aligned at a non-zero angle to each other. The first and second sensors are adapted to identify positions of the leading edge and the trailing edge. An alignment of the sheet is adjusted responsive to a sheet length determined using the output from the first and second sensors.

Abstract: A method and system is described for controlling an electrically driven fuel pump used in the filling of a hobbyist model craft's fuel tank, (airplane, car, boat etc). The system includes a microcontroller to control the direction and run time of a brushed electric motor-driven fuel pump. A calibration feature allows operating parameters for different sized pumps and tanks to be measured and recorded in memory, then later recalled and used in the filling of pre-selected models' tank to a predetermined level simply by pressing a button to initiate the operation.

Abstract: Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a substrate media registration system in a printing system. The registration system can include a deskewing system, a reflexive system, and a controller. The deskewing system is configured to deskew substrate media. The reflexive system is configured to detect the lateral position of the substrate media and at least one of a lead edge and a trail edge of the substrate media being transported in the process direction. The controller is operatively coupled to the reflexive system and is configured to control ejection of ink from a print head system in response to detecting the lateral position of the substrate media and at least one of the lead edge and the trail edge of the substrate media.

Abstract: A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.).

Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of printheads in a printing system with a moving sheet carrying device has been developed. The method includes identifying a first amount of sheet carrying device displacement and second amount of sheet carrying device displacement as the sheet carrying device carries a media sheet past first and second printheads, respectively, for imaging of a predetermined location of the media sheet. A time for operating the second printhead is adjusted based on a difference between the first sheet carrying device offset and the second sheet carrying device offset to provide color registration between ink drops of the first printhead and second printhead on the media sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus including a transfer belt, an edge sensor and a belt steering roll. The transfer belt having a lateral edge and the edge sensor detecting lateral positions of the lateral edge as it passes the edge sensor. The belt steering roll controlling lateral movement of the transfer belt, which is rotatably mounted maintaining rolling engagement with the transfer belt. An axis of rotation of the belt steering roll selectively tiltable defining a steering angle with respect to an axis reference orientation. Changes in the steering angle inducing a lateral shift profile to the lateral edge. The lateral shift profile defined by changes to the lateral positions of the lateral edge during a period. The steering angle being changed based on a differential between a currently detected lateral position of a segment of the lateral edge and a predetermined lateral position derived from the lateral shift profile.

Abstract: An edge sensing apparatus is disclosed including first and second emitters, first and second detectors and a timer. Beams radiated from the first emitter being emitted in an opposite direction from beams radiated from the second emitter. The first and second detectors being aligned to receive beams from the first and second emitters respectively, where the first detector is offset in a cross-process direction from the first emitter and/or the second detector. The timer receiving signals from both the first and second detectors, wherein a change of the signals determines a position of an edge of a substrate media sheet causing the change of signals. Also, an edge sensing method is disclosed including measuring a mean time associated with a change of signals received from the two detectors and determining a location of a sheet edge causing the change of signals based on the mean time.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a sensor positioned proximate a media transport path in an inkjet printing system, the sensor being configured to detect a media height exceeding a predetermined height with reference to the media transport path, and a controller associated with the inkjet printing system, the controller being configured to modify operation of the inkjet printing system in response to the sensor detecting a media height exceeding the predetermined height.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing characteristics of the sheet with respect to the transport path. The characteristics of the sheet including a skew position, process direction position or a lateral position of the sheet. The registration nip assembly changing a first sheet characteristic to a first target characteristic by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary registration datum. A delivery registration datum disposed downstream of the registration nip assembly. The registration nip assembly changing a second sheet characteristic to a second target characteristic when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary registration datum and the delivery registration datum. The apparatus including an auxiliary nip assembly disposed between the delivery registration datum and the registration nip assembly, wherein the preliminary registration datum is disposed between the delivery registration datum and the auxiliary nip assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an imaging system comprising an image receiving surface which is moved in a downstream direction; a first marking station which applies a first image to the image receiving surface; and, a second marking station, downstream of the first marking station, which applies a second image to the image receiving surface.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of printheads in a printing system with a moving sheet carrying device has been developed. The method includes identifying a first amount of sheet carrying device displacement and second amount of sheet carrying device displacement as the sheet carrying device carries a media sheet past first and second printheads, respectively, for imaging of a predetermined location of the media sheet. A time for operating the second printhead is adjusted based on a difference between the first sheet carrying device offset and the second sheet carrying device offset to provide color registration between ink drops of the first printhead and second printhead on the media sheet.

Abstract: Accurate sheet leading edge registration system and method including a first and second nip assembly, a first sheet leading edge sensor and a controller. The first and second nip assemblies being spaced apart from one another. The first sheet leading edge sensor capable of detecting an arrival of a leading edge of a sheet at a point in the process direction. The arrival being associated with engagement of the first and second nip assemblies with the sheet. The controller capable of imparting a rotational skew velocity to the sheet using the first and second nip assemblies. A center of rotation of the skew velocity being offset laterally from a center of the sheet leading edge and being coincident with a lateral position of a virtual point, the virtual point lateral position being offset from a lateral position of the first sheet leading edge sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for registering a sheet includes a lateral motion motor coupled to a nip and idler roller assembly that provides lateral alignment of the sheet. A de-skew assembly pivots the lateral motion motor and the nip and idler roller assembly about a pivot axis that is proximate to the lateral motion motor to de-skew the sheet.

Abstract: Methods and devices detect a first lateral measure of an edge of a belt loop supported by rollers within an apparatus using a first sensor to find an amount of misalignment of the edge of the belt loop relative to a known alignment position. The first sensor is positioned at a first location within the apparatus. The methods and devices also detect a second lateral measure of the edge of the belt loop within the apparatus relative to the known alignment position using a second sensor. The second sensor is positioned at a second location within the apparatus that is different than the first location. The methods and devices use a processor to determine the non-linear shape of the edge of the belt loop based on the second lateral measure of the edge of the belt loop detected by the second sensor. The methods and devices correct the amount of misalignment detected by the first sensor based on the non-linear shape of the edge of the belt loop to generate a corrected misalignment value, using the processor.

Abstract: A method and system have a media path having moving devices that move a media sheet in a processing direction. At least two elongated sensors within the media path are positioned diagonally relative to the processing direction. The media sheet has two lateral sides, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. A registration controller is operatively connected to the media path and to the elongated sensors. Each of the elongated sensors simultaneously identifies: a location of one of the lateral sides of the media sheet, such that a combination of the elongated sensors simultaneously outputs at least two lateral measures of locations of the lateral sides of the media sheet; and at least one measure leading edge or at least one measure of the trailing edge of the media sheet.

Abstract: An ink umbilical provides different colors of heated ink to multiple print heads in an integrated structure. The ink umbilical includes a first plurality of ink carrying conduits mounted on one side of a heater and a second plurality of conduits mounted on a second side of the heater opposite the first side of the heater. The heater is operated to keep the ink in the conduits on each of the heater in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving information from a caller without the information being accessed by an agent handling the call. A call is received and routed to an agent, who may be remote. When predetermined information (e.g., credit card number, social security number) is to be provided by the caller, an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) unit or media server is bridged into the call. The caller's input is received by the IVR unit, but not by the agent. If the information is entered as DTMF tones, those tones may be muted or altered for the agent. The agent's voice connection may remain open, however, to receive and answer questions from the caller. If the information is provided verbally, the audio connection to the agent may be muted. The agent is signaled when the information is complete, at which time the IVR unit is disconnected and the call proceeds normally.

Abstract: Accurate sheet registration is achieved by measuring the arrival of a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the sheet using a first sensor. Also, measuring a first position of the sheet using a second sensor on a lateral edge of the sheet. Then performing a first adjustment moving the sheet laterally using the first position measurement. The first adjustment actuated prior to the sheet reaching a third sensor for measuring a second position of the sheet. The third sensor disposed downstream in the process direction of the second sensor and a sheet feeding nip. Then measuring a second position of the sheet using the third sensor on the lateral edge and performing a second adjustment of the sheet with regard to at least one of sheet skew, sheet velocity and sheet lateral position using at least one of the arrival, first position and second position measurements.