Abstract: Selected points in a copier are monitored by signal lines connected to a computer. If a signal is detected on a signal line, the time of occurrence is stored in the computer's memory at a location associated with the point that caused the signal. Eventually an array of the times of operation of each monitored point will be stored. The computer then calculates the difference between the times stored for selected pairs of the monitored points and stores these, as intervals, in additional locations of the memory. The intervals are combined to give calculated statistical results (mean, deviation, etc.) each of which is then compared against predetermined values normal for correctly operating copiers also stored in the memory. The results of the comparison set error flags if the limits are exceeded indicating possible future copier failures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for operating a multibin sheet collator, particularly a copier/collator installation. Additional to the number of sets to be collated, the number of sheets contained in each set is entered into the collator logic. If this number of sheets in a set exceeds the capacity of a single collator bin, adjacent bins are grouped together and treated as one virtual bin with increased capacity, thus extending the collator usage. Sheets exceeding the total capacity of the collator can be fed into additional receptacles.

Abstract: Testing apparatus monitors signals at selected test points in a tested device. An operator specifies sets of signals defining a display window during which all signals at the selected test points will be available to the operator for immediate or later examination. One set of signals defines the beginning of the window. Another set defines the end of the window, but only after other sets or conditions, also specified by the operator, occur. For each set, the operator specifies test points monitored, signal states expected and what happens when the expected states occur.

Abstract: Photoconductor panels are automatically replaced in an electrophotographic copier or printer after it is determined that the panels require replacement and the machine has entered into a run-out mode. The run-out mode is defined as the time period at the end of a copy processing operation between the transfer of the last image to a copy sheet and the final processing of that copy sheet by the machine. The photoconductor panel is completely replaced without interrupting machine operation and in a manner transparent to the user. A control circuit or process interprets the machine states to determine presence of the run-out mode.

Abstract: A copier's corona assembly carries arms holding a corona emission wire between a tensioning spring and current limiting resistor. Slugs secure the corona wire to the spring and resistor under tension provided by the arms and the spring while, simultaneously, facilitating a current path through the wire assembly formed by the wire, spring, resistor, and slugs. The slugs, made of a deformable metal receive, in a slot, a corona wire and one lead of the resistor or one end of the spring. A press closes the slot and crimps the slug closed to securely fasten together the wire and the lead or end.

Abstract: An information distributor has an entry tray for receiving document originals to be copied and also receives magnetic cards carrying indicia representing information to be reproduced. Copies emerge from a copying mechanism and enter an aligner which physically offsets selected sheets relative to nonselected sheets for stacking in a copy exit pocket. In the aligner, a fixed reference edge deflects incoming sheets along a reference line. A movable reference edge may be selectively lowered between the fixed reference edge and incoming sheets to deflect sheets along another line parallel to, but not coincident with, the reference line.

Abstract: Different line-cord sets connect an electrical device to different supply voltages, assuring that the supply voltage matches the device. Each line-cord set has a uniquely keyed socket and a wall plug. A device receptacle receives the line-cord's keyed socket. An adjustable key on the device mates with the socket's key and rejects nonmating sockets to admit the socket into the receptacle and adjusts the device's input voltage to match the supply voltage.

Abstract: Signals at selected points on a test device place indicia on a record indicating, for each selected point, a selected logical active level and an initial polarity level. At preselected time intervals, levels, level changes and the number of transitions per change appear on the record as human-readable symbols. Each selected points signals are translated into digital representations which are stored for comparison with subsequent digital representations from the point. Counters record the number of changes thus detected and provide to the record appropriate symbols depicting the pre-change value, the number of changes and the post change value.

Abstract: A copier fuser roll's temperature is accurately maintained by supplying selected half-cycles of current from a power supply to a heater in accordance with signals from a temperature sensor. Each sequential half-cycle is assigned a unique digital input number which accesses a table of digital output numbers having values chosen to correspond to one or more half-cycles. Sensor signals are sampled and digital temperature error numbers, determined by the fuser roll temperature and a desired roll temperature, are derived. The temperature error and output numbers are compared and, whenever a comparison occurs, the corresponding half-cycle of current operates the heater. Thus, depending upon the difference between a desired and the actual roll temperature, variable numbers of evenly spaced complete half-cycles, having a total positive-to-negative ratio approaching unity, are selected.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic apparatus, a plurality of original sheets are copied onto a plurality of copy sheets in an order permitting assembly of multiple-sheet booklets. The originals are presented to an automatic document feeder by an operator in one order which repeatedly presents the originals to the copier for reproduction in another order. The copies are reduced in size and placed adjacent each other onto both sides of sheets of copy paper in a sequence facilitating booklet assembly. Initially the originals are loaded into the automatic document feeder with the lowest numbered original page presented to the copier first. Odd-numbered originals are copied onto successive halves of copy sheets. When half of the originals have been copied, the copies are reloaded into the copier to permit copying of odd-numbered originals onto halves of the backs of the same copies.

Abstract: Documents are automatically recirculated for copying by a copier from a stack which is accessed top document downward. Documents are stacked faceup in an upper tray and moved as a group to a lower tray where they are stacked facedown, with the first document in the upper tray appearing in a facedown position at the bottom of the lower tray. The top document in the lower tray is then removed for copying and returned to the bottom of the upper tray, thus peserving the original document order for further copying. The copier normally scans stationary documents placed on a glass platen; for example, individual sheets of paper or book pages may be placed on the glass platen and held stationary while the optics causes light to scan the page. During automatic recirculation of stacks of the documents, however, the scanning optics is "parked" and documents removed from the lower tray are imaged while scanned past a fixed exposure area on the glass platen on the way back to the upper tray.

Abstract: Factors affecting copy quality are continuously adjusted during copying in accordance with the actual charge on the photoconductor relative to a fixed reference potential. The photoconductor, carried on a moving, partially exposed, constant potential conductive support, is sensed by a probe. The probe supplies a signal as a function of the potential on portions of the photoconductor and the conductive support passing by the probe. A circuit converts the probe signals into digitized values representing the current photoconductor potential relative to the support. The digitized values adjust copier parameters to compensate for deviations of photoconductor potential from predetermined desired values.

Abstract: The optical elements of a copier are automatically aligned by positioning the elements under the control of signals from an image-dissecting scanner. The scanner, mounted to receive the image normally presented to the photoconductor, examines a master document placed in the position normally occupied by a document to be copied. Optical adjustments are made as a function of the examination of lines on the master document by the scanner. The contrast between a line and its background is maximum when optical elements between the master document and the scanner provide the sharpest focus of the line image to the scanner. Signals from the scanner for a plurality of lines on the master document determine optimum positioning of the optical elements. The scanner determines the apparent spacing between lines, which are a known distance apart on the master document, to position the optical elements for a desired magnification.

Abstract: The optical elements of a copier are automatically aligned by positioning the elements under the control of signals from an image-dissecting scanner. The scanner, mounted to receive the image normally presented to the photoconductor, examines a master document placed in the position normally occupied by a document to be copied. Optical adjustments are made as a function of the examination of lines on the master document by the scanner. The contrast between a line and its background is maximum when optical elements between the master document and the scanner provide the sharpest focus of the line image to the scanner. Signals from the scanner for a plurality of lines on the master document determine optimum positioning of the optical elements. The scanner determines the apparent spacing between lines, which are a known distance apart on the master document, to position the optical elements for a desired magnification.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for operating a copier/collator installation. By disabling the copier portion insofar as copy production is involved, the copier/collator installation can be used as an offline collator. This extended function allows the execution of copy and collate jobs which exceed the capacity of the collator.

Abstract: Two magnetoresistive (MR) elements are connected with two matched impedance elements in a bridge arrangement for sensing magnetic flux manifesting information recorded on magnetic media. An alternating current (AC) bias is applied to the bridge's input, and short-term variations in the bridge output signal envelope are detected as representing recorded information. Long-term (average) variations in the signal envelope are also detected and used to adjust the AC bias to maintain a constant average envelope. Additional bridge inputs may be connected in parallel with the first, and the additional bridges' outputs used to derive additional information signals without any additional AC bias adjustment circuits.

Abstract: Write windings are deposited on a ferrite half yoke mounted on a titanium body, and magnetoresistive elements are deposited on another ferrite half yoke mounted on another titanium body. A center section comprising a sandwich of silver-copper shielding material between two ferrite sheets has glass-filled slots cut on one side thereof. The center shield is placed between the write and read sides with the write windings placed between pairs of glass-filled slots and with the magnetoresistive elements in contact with the opposite surface of the center shield. The write windings and the magnetoresistive elements are connected to connector blocks prior to final assembly, and the write and read sides and the center section are pressured together by bolts through two end pieces, forming a vise-like structure.

Abstract: A number of identical molded segments are brought together to form a stack. Each segment contains intersecting left and right-handed helical guideways, each guideway defining about one-half the pitch of a thread. Each adjacent identical segment is oriented with respect to each other adjacent segment to provide a substantially continuous left and right-handed helical guideway. Each adjacent identical half-pitch segment is oriented about 180.degree. out of phase with respect to each other adjacent identical segment. A minimum of two identical one-half pitch segments is required to provide a reversing lead screw.

Abstract: A head is moved toward and rotated against an abrasive while its resistance is monitored by a four-lead bridge. Two leads from the head are connected to two slip rings, and each slip ring has two pairs of brushes, each wire from the bridge going to a different brush pair. The number of head rotations is counted and head resistance is monitored by the bridge at predetermined counts. Head movement toward the abrasive is terminated when a predetermined head resistance is detected by the bridge.