Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer, a moving laser beam scans a photoconductor as the beam is selectively modulated by the operation of a beam modulator. Binary print data is gated to the modulator by the operation of a picture element (PEL) clock. At the beginning of each photoconductor scan, the beam traverses an optical grating that is constructed and arranged to produce a grating clock signal whose frequency and phase are accurately related to the later position of the beam during each photoconductor scan. A controllable delay means is controlled by the grating clock signal. For the scanning of each photoconductor row, the delay means operates to bring the phase of the PEL clock into synchronism with the grating clock signal, prior to the time that the beam scans the photoconductor.

Abstract: Loading mechanism for a disk drive is designed to load and to center any one of several disk cartridges having various thicknesses so that the disk within the cartridge is registered in a predetermined plane of rotation. A pair of guide rails, upper and lower, is mounted at each side of the insertion path for the cartridge. The upper and lower rails are movable relative to each other and relative to the frame of the disk drive. This allows the rails to separate to receive individual diskette cartridges having different thicknesses. After a cartridge is inserted, the loading mechanism will move the cartridge to a reference position where the disk within the cartridge is in the plane of rotaiton. The separation of the guide rails controls the reference position to which the cartridge is moved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for segmenting characters generated by an optical scanner. The apparatus also identifies underscores. The underscores are then masked and subsequent processing devices are informed of the existence of said underscores. Input video raster scans representative of a portion of a line of textual material are loaded into a video buffer. The video raster scans are broken up into a plurality of sections. The horizontal histogram (number of black pixel counts) associated with each section is determined. The baseline, vertical histogram and word location for each line of data to be segmented is determined. A find character unit finds the boundaries for each character. The character is sequentially transferred from the video buffer to a character output buffer.

Abstract: A copy production machine is capable of having copies from plural independent copy runs in a copy sheet transport path at a given instant. Such independent runs are combined to produce duplex (double-sided) copies. Recovery from jams in such duplex operations is described. The described system also distinguishes between copy sheets having images and non-imaged copy sheets. Apparatus and procedures are described for utilizing the counts for precisely recovering from loss of copy sheets due to a jam or other stoppage condition. Control of a billing meter is also disclosed.

Abstract: Copy production machine selectively interleaves copy separation sheets between successive copy jobs, subjobs, or job portions. The copy separation sheets can be from the same copy sheet supply source or from an alternate source. The supplied copy separation sheets need not be operated upon by the copy production machines, i.e., receive an image. Such sheets may be preimaged if so desired. When copy sheet supply means has different size copy sheets, the separation mode may be inhibited. The number of separation sheets supplied depends on the number of copy receiving bins in an output means and the number of copies produced from a single image. The effective capacity of a collator is extended by the use of separation sheets.

Abstract: Multi-processor programmable controller including a random access memory and a non-volatile memory for storing signals relating to a plurality of programs executable in the controller. One processor does text processing and system control functions. A second processor operates the copy production portion. The one processor has complete control of the second processor via a multiprocessor connector.

Abstract: Copy production machine, such as a xerographic copier, includes an original document feed mechanism which is responsive to insertion of the document to place the document automatically in an imaging position. The copy production machine is actuated by the document feed mechanism to produce one or more copies of the placed original document. An original document being entered into imaging position may be removed by an operator or by the automatic original document feed mechanism, whereby the copy production machine is inhibited from producing copies until the original document is either reinserted or another original document is inserted. Thereupon, copy production resumes in the normal manner.

Abstract: Copy production machine capable of having copies from plural independent copy runs in a copy sheet transport path at a given instant. Copy jam recovery is enhanced by maintaining separate counts of all individual images having copies simultaneously present in the copy sheet path. Apparatus and procedures are described for utilizing the counts for precisely recovering loss of copy sheets due to a jam or other stoppage condition. Control of a billing meter is also disclosed.