Abstract: Rebar-based support assemblies that can be fabricated without the need for on-site welding. The assemblies include a number of differing sized and shaped crimps used in place of welds to provide rebar assembly-to-rebar assembly connections. Each crimp mechanically couples two or three pieces of rebar together, such as a border bar of one rebar assembly to a border bar of an adjacent rebar assembly. Each crimp includes a body with two or more arcuate recessed surfaces each for receiving a piece of rebar. In a first configuration of the crimp, a pair of spaced-apart arms (or extending members) extend from the body and define an opening through which the rebar is passed and set into the recessed surfaces. A deformation force is applied upon the two arms to deform the body into a second configuration with the arms in abutting contact or nearly so at an outer tip or end.

Abstract: Rebar-based support assemblies that can be fabricated without the need for on-site welding. The assemblies include a number of differing sized and shaped crimps used in place of welds to provide rebar assembly-to-rebar assembly connections. Each crimp mechanically couples two or three pieces of rebar together, such as a border bar of one rebar assembly to a border bar of an adjacent rebar assembly. Each crimp includes a body with two or more arcuate recessed surfaces each for receiving a piece of rebar. In a first configuration of the crimp, a pair of spaced-apart arms (or extending members) extend from the body and define an opening through which the rebar is passed and set into the recessed surfaces. A deformation force is applied upon the two arms to deform the body into a second configuration with the arms in abutting contact or nearly so at an outer tip or end.

Abstract: Embodiments of example apparatuses and methods for changing nip pressure are described.

Abstract: Detection of a potential user of an imaging device is utilized to begin the initialization of the imaging device prior to when the user is expected to access the imaging device. By beginning the initialization process prior to the user's expected access of the device, wait time experienced by the user may be reduced without a need to continuously maintain the device in a full powered-up state or even to maintain the device in a stand-by state.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member is disengaged from an impression drum. Color layers are applied to the intermediate transfer member. A sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum while the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum are disengaged. The intermediate transfer member is engaged with the impression drum. Another sheet media is transported between the intermediate transfer member and the impression drum. The color layers are transferred from the intermediate transfer member onto the sheet media.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming device is provided that includes a media path configured to carry print media through the image forming device, an alignment mechanism including a plurality of alignment walls, and an image forming mechanism configured to form an image on the aligned print media received from the alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism can be dynamically configurable to align the print media against a selected alignment wall from the plurality of alignment walls as the print media is carried along the media path.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for an imaging apparatus including a controller, a first imaging engine and a second imaging engine, each coupled with the controller and configured to form images on sheet media, and a nip assembly configured to pass a sheet media. The imaging apparatus including a circuit electrically coupled to the nip assembly and coupled with the controller, the circuit configured to provide a length signal to the controller corresponding to a length of a sheet media passed through the nip assembly, and wherein the controller is configured to control normal operation of the second imaging engine in correspondence to the length signal. Also provided is a method, including imaging a first side of a sheet media, passing the sheet media through a nip assembly, determining a length of the sheet media, and selectively imaging a second side of the sheet media in correspondence to the length.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for automatically detecting when multiple sheets of print media are fed into a print device. More particularly, described herein is a technology for indirectly and automatically determining the number of sheets of print media by determining the stiffness of print media, such as acetate and paper. At least one embodiment, described herein, includes a registration assembly of a laser printer. In this assembly, the print medium is deflected (i.e., bent, bowed, buckled, etc.). A measurement of such deflection is made. That measurement is an indication of the relative stiffness of the print medium. Assuming approximately similar densities, the stiffness of print media is directly related to its thickness. The thicker the medium the stiffer it is and vice versa. The thickness of print media is directly related to the number of sheets of print media.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for an imaging apparatus including a controller, a first imaging engine and a second imaging engine, each coupled with the controller and configured to form images on sheet media, and a nip assembly configured to pass a sheet media. The imaging apparatus including a circuit electrically coupled to the nip assembly and coupled with the controller, the circuit configured to provide a length signal to the controller corresponding to a length of a sheet media passed through the nip assembly, and wherein the controller is configured to control normal operation of the second imaging engine in correspondence to the length signal. Also provided is a method, including imaging a first side of a sheet media, passing the sheet media through a nip assembly, determining a length of the sheet media, and selectively imaging a second side of the sheet media in correspondence to the length.

Abstract: An implementation of a technology is described herein for automatically detecting when multiple sheets of print media are fed into a print device. More particularly, described herein is a technology for indirectly and automatically determining the number of sheets of print media by determining the stiffness of print media, such as acetate and paper. At least one embodiment, described herein, includes a registration assembly of a laser printer. In this assembly, the print medium is deflected (i.e., bent, bowed, buckled, etc.). A measurement of such deflection is made. That measurement is an indication of the relative stiffness of the print medium. Assuming approximately similar densities, the stiffness of print media is directly related to its thickness. The thicker the medium the stiffer it is and vice versa. The thickness of print media is directly related to the number of sheets of print media.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method and apparatus for indicating roller wear in a media handling device. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of variable inductance to determine roller wear. The media transport roller has a non-conductive surface with a conductive core. Located just above the conductive core is a rod containing a power coil that is driven by AC excitation and a pick-up coil. The pick-up coil is connected to circuitry that measures the inductance. As the media transport roller wears, the conductive core moves closer to an inductive pick-up unit. The measured output voltage from the pick-up unit depends upon the distance between the core and the pick-up unit. This inductance change can then be correlated to media transport roller wear and relayed to the user through the use of an LED or other similar types of numerical/graphical displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method and apparatus for indicating roller wear in a media handling device. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of variable inductance to determine roller wear. The media transport roller has a non-conductive surface with a conductive core. Located just above the conductive core is a rod containing a power coil that is driven by AC excitation and a pick-up coil. The pick-up coil is connected to circuitry that measures the inductance. As the media transport roller wears, the conductive core moves closer to an inductive pick-up unit. The measured output voltage from the pick-up unit depends upon the distance between the core and the pick-up unit. This inductance change can then be correlated to media transport roller wear and relayed to the user through the use of an LED or other similar types of numerical/graphical displays.

Abstract: A sheet media position sensor device is disclosed which incorporates a pair of opposed nipped rollers positioned laterally across a sheet media transport path. One roller is electrically conductive while the opposed roller has an electrically conductive resilient coating. The coated roller is insulated at its mid point to divide the coating on the roller into two halves. A DC voltage is applied to the electrical conductive roller with current passing equally through each half of the adjacent coated roller. As sheet media is passed along the transport path and between the two nipped rollers, the sheet media acts as an insulator to reduce the actual contact area and therefore, the current flow between the conductive roller and the coated halves of the nipped roller. This reduced current flow is directly proportionate to the remaining contact area for each half of the roller which specifically identifies the lateral position of the sheet media.

Abstract: A sheet media position sensor device is disclosed which incorporates a pair of opposed nipped rollers positioned laterally across a sheet media transport path. One roller is electrically conductive while the opposed roller has an electrically conductive resilient coating. The coated roller is insulated at its mid point to divide the coating on the roller into two halves. A DC voltage is applied to the electrical conductive roller with current passing equally through each half of the adjacent coated roller. As sheet media is passed along the transport path and between the two nipped rollers, the sheet media acts as an insulator to reduce the actual contact area and therefore, the current flow between the conductive roller and the coated halves of the nipped roller. This reduced current flow is directly proportionate to the remaining contact area for each half of the roller which specifically identifies the lateral position of the sheet media.

Abstract: Detection of a potential user of an imaging device is utilized to begin the initialization of the imaging device prior to when the user is expected to access the imaging device. By beginning the initialization process prior to the user's expected access of the device, wait time experienced by the user may be reduced without a need to continuously maintain the device in a full powered-up state or even to maintain the device in a stand-by state.

Abstract: A media separator reduces the likelihood that multiple units of print media moved from an media tray will move through an imaging device. The media separator includes a separation member that is positioned by a position adjustment mechanism using output from a piezo electric sensor. A leading edge of the unit of print media moved from the media tray contacts the separation member. The angle between a plane of the unit of print media and a perpendicular to a tangent at a location the unit of print media contacts the surface of the separation member forms a contact angle. When multiple units of the print media are moved into the media path, a frictional force is exerted by the top unit of the print media upon the unit of print media below the top unit of print media. When the leading edge of the unit of print media below the top unit of print media contacts the separating member, a frictional force is exerted upon this unit of the print media by the separating member.

Abstract: A media holding apparatus includes a tray having a support surface configured to receive media and a media stop carried by the tray. The media stop is movably supported for continuously adjustable positioning relative to the tray to conform dimensionally with media received in the tray. The apparatus also includes a position-detecting sensor associated with the tray and the media stop which is operative to generate a unique electrical pattern corresponding with a detected position of the media stop relative to the tray. The unique electrical pattern is indicative of the size of the media detected in the tray. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A fixing device bias control system compensates for variations in media resistivity by controlling a bias supplied to a fixing device, such as a fuser, in an electrophotographic imaging device. Media resistivity may change dependent upon on the environmental conditions to which the media is exposed. A reduction in the moisture content of the media, as occurs after the first pass of a duplex imaging operation or in low humidity environments, will significantly increase the media resistivity. An increase in the resistivity of the media can result in toner adhering to the fuser, causing contamination on the fuser and image defects. The fixing device bias control system supplies a bias, having the same polarity as the charge on the toner, to a fusing roller included in the fuser to repel the toner, thereby reducing fuser contamination and image defects. In a first embodiment, the fixing device bias control system controls the bias based upon exposure of the media to the fixing process.

Abstract: A fixing device, such as a halogen bulb fuser or an instant on fuser, includes a first heating element supplied with substantially constant average power by a power control circuit in preparation for and during fusing. Additionally, the instant on fuser includes a second heating element supplied by the power control circuit. The power control circuit measures the average voltage across and the average current through the first heating element to detect changes in the thermal load applied to the first heating element. In preparation for fusing, the power control circuit applies sufficient power to the second heating element for fusing the expected average thermal load. If the power control circuit detects a level of thermal loading on the instant on fuser different than the expected average thermal load, the power control circuit adjusts the power supplied to the second heating element to compensate for the level of thermal loading different than the average expected thermal load.