Abstract: The present invention is a digital imaging system for a copier that comprises a full-frame, two-dimensional sensor array to capture a document's image and a full-frame output light valve with backlight to flash expose the image onto a photoreceptor belt. The document is flash exposed to illuminate the page and the full-page image is captured by the full-frame, two dimensional sensor array. The sensor array then reads out the digital image data in response to a driver. The data is then input into the full-frame digital output light valve. The driver provides for the synchronous control of the system. Optionally, an electronic subsystem may perform digital image processing according to user demand--before the data arrives at the output light valve. After image processing (if any), the digital data, supplied to the full-page output light valve, forms a pattern on the display according to the data. The patterned image is then flash exposed by a backlight, through the light valve, and onto a photoreceptor.

Abstract: An improvement in the electronic imaging of documents, of the type wherein document sheets are transported at a uniform constant velocity past an electronic imaging member with the document sheet surface to be imaged maintained at a constant imaging distance from the electronic imaging member, wherein the document is fed through a document position and velocity holding and feeding nip formed between the outside wall of a rotatable transparent cylinder and an opposing nip forming member moving therewith, preferably an idler belt, and wherein the electronic imaging member is mounted inside the transparent cylinder to image this nip area through a narrow portion of the wall of the rotatable transparent cylinder and thereby to image scan only the narrow portion of the document which is being fed through and held in the nip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid copying system including a document feeder for a copier with a document bypass loop for copying documents in desired non-linear page sequences for improved copying efficiency, particularly for duplex copying. As shown, documents from a stacked set of document sheets may be fed to the copying station of the copier and then selectively returned directly back to the opposite side of the copying station for copying interleaved between the feeding of other documents fed from the stack, by a document return loop bypass path bypassing the stack and having a path length greater than the dimension of a document sheet. A duplex document which has been copied on one side may be moving in this return loop bypass path while another fed from the stack is being copied, and also be inverted by an integral inverter therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid copying system comprising a document feeder for a copier with a document bypass loop for copying documents in desired non-linear page sequences for improved copying efficiency, particularly for duplex copying. As shown, documents from a stacked set of document sheets may be fed to the copying station of the copier and then selectively returned directly back to the opposite side of the copying station for copying interleaved between the feeding of other documents fed from the stack, by a document return loop bypass path bypassing the stack and having a path length greater than the dimension of a document sheet. At least one document which has been copied on one side may be moving in this return loop bypass path while another fed from the stack is being copied, and may also be inverted by an integral inverter therein.

Abstract: A copier with a coordinated hybrid or non-sequential postcollation sorter operation is disclosed in a hybrid copying system comprising a document feeder with a document bypass loop for copying documents in desired non-linear page sequences for improved copying efficiency for duplex copying with a trayless copy sheet duplexing loop buffer path duplexing system circulating copy sheets from and back to the image transfer station of the copier to eliminate intermediate copy sheet stacking and refeeding between first and second side copying, and outputting the duplexed copy sheets therefrom in an unconventional non-directly sequential page order which is nevertheless properly collated by unconventional non-sequential sorter bin loading sequences.

Abstract: A retard feeder and separator apparatus adapted to sense the threat of a misfeed or multifeed and adjust the stack normal force of a feed belt against a stack of sheets accordingly. The apparatus includes a movable frame on which is mounted a sheet separating feed belt, a retard roll that forms a retard nip with the separating feed belt, and a stack force relief sensor. The sensor detects the lead edge of a sheet fed from a stack as it reaches the retard nip and causes a solenoid connected to the frame to trigger and move the frame slightly. The frame movement relieves the stack normal force of the feed belt against the stack from a high value to a low value while the sheet continues to be fed from the stack by the force in the retard nip and the lessened stack normal force. Alternatively, if the sensor does not sense a sheet within a predetermined period of time, the stack normal force will be increased to the original high value.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus with a sheet support tray, a rear vacuum plenum chamber adapted to acquire the rear portion of a sheet, a front vacuum plenum chamber positioned over the front of the sheet and adapted to acquire the front portion of a sheet, sheet transport means associated with the front vacuum plenum to transport a sheet acquired in a forward direction and an air knife positioned at the rear of the stack of sheets to inject air between the trailing edge of the top sheet in a stack and the remainder of the stack. In a specific embodiment the trail edge of a sheet in a stack is separated by the air knife, acquired by the rear vacuum plenum then acquired by the front vacuum plenum and transported in a forward direction. As the trailing edge clears the rear vacuum, the rear vacuum which together with the air knife is continuously activated, acquires the next sheet in the stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively increasing the effective frictional force between a retard member and a feed member by making both the feed member and retard member from conductive elastomers, and providing a source of electrical potential to produce an electrical potential between them. A sensor is located downstream of the retard member that will sense a multi-feed of sheets between the pad and retard member. The sensor effects the production of electrical potential thereby increasing the friction between the two members and causing separation of the multi-feed of sheets. The potential is then removed and the frictional forces returned to the original level.