Abstract: An imaging device, such as a printer, scanner, copier, multifunctional printer, and the like includes a sensor to detect the size of media fed into the imaging device. The detected media size can be set as the default media size for further operations, if desired.

Abstract: A large area heater used, for example, in a laser printer belt fuser or as cooking surface, has an alumina substrate in which two bowed parts of alumina ceramic having opposed concave regions are formed together as a laminate. Electrical resistors are deposited on the laminate. The alumina laminate provides excellent resistance to uneven heating or other thermal stress. Alumina ceramic is readily shaped during manufacture and manufacturing costs and yield are good. A wide variety of large area heaters can usefully employ the laminate.

Abstract: An improved printing apparatus provides for very accurate synchronization between cut sheet print media and the unfixed image which is conveyed on an Intermediate Transfer Member (ITM) such as a belt or a drum, and which is targeted for said print media. The printing apparatus is constructed as a single-pass ITM-based electrophotographic (e.g., laser) printer, and the length of the input print media pathway prior to image-to-media transfer is significantly shorter than the sum of the lengths of the image travel along a photoconductive drum and ITM. The print media is typically launched after imaging has been initiated on the photoconductive drum by an imaging apparatus. Variance in the leading edge of the print media with respect to the leading edge of image can be introduced due to phenomena such as pick errors, velocity variation, and uncertainties in the paper stack height.

Abstract: Halftoning algorithms such as error diffusion, blue noise mask, and void and cluster mask are known to produce visually pleasing, random, homogeneously distributed patterns of dots on output devices such as color displays or printers, for example. These algorithms are extended to take advantage of the mechanisms of each that cause a homogeneous distribution of dots of one colorant to produce a substantially homogeneous distribution of dots when using multiple colorants. The number of dots of each colorant are combined to form an output dot level number of dots that is caused to be substantially homogeneously distributed.

Abstract: A method of minimizing error in an estimate of a position of a sheet of print medium in an electrophotographic machine includes providing a transport system including a gearing system to drive a roll for moving the sheet of print medium along a print medium path. The gears are in constant mesh with each other and with an actuator. The electrophotographic machine is provided with a toner transfer point at which the toner can be transferred to the moving sheet of print medium. A sensor is placed at a set distance away from the transfer nip along the print medium path. This distance is approximately equal to an integer multiple of the resulting distance traveled by the medium during one revolution of the lowest frequency component of the transport system. The frequencies associated with all other components in the transport system, including the actuator and an encoder wheel, are designed to be an integer multiple of this lowest frequency.

Abstract: The invention described in the specification relates to an apparatus for supplying electrical information to a printer controller in order to identify the one or more cartridges installed in a printer. The apparatus comprises a carriage which is laterally translatable relative to the movement of print media through the printer, carriage translation means, and a replaceable cartridge attached to the carriage. The apparatus further comprises an indicia device which is attached to the replaceable cartridge and which has optically readable indicia thereon containing encoded information which contains information identifying the type of cartridge installed in the printer. The apparatus also includes an optical code reader which reads and transmits the encoded information to a printer controller as the cartridge moves in a lateral direction relative to the code reader.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit for use in a multichannel RF system using fiber optic links. The circuit samples the power levels from a number of attenuated RF signals simultaneously and adjusts the gain in all of the channels by the amount required to keep the highest power channel below a predetermined power level determined by the power capacity of the fiber optic link while maintaining the signal strength relationship between the attenuated signals as was existing between the RF input signals.

Abstract: A coriolis mass flow meter which includes a ferromagnetic drive mechanism and ferromagnetic velocity sensors is disclosed. The drive mechanism includes a drive coil; a ferromagnetic drive keeper affixed to a flow conduit of the meter so that the keeper it is partially disposed in the field from the drive coil; a magnet for orienting the ferromagnetic domains of the drive keeper; and means for applying a drive signal to the drive coil. The velocity sensor includes a sensor coil; a ferromagnetic sensor keeper affixed to the flow conduit so that the keeper it is partially disposed in the field drawn across the sensor coil; a magnet for orienting the ferromagnetic domains of the sensor keeper, disposed so that a portion of its magnetic field passes through the sensor coil; and means for detecting a current induced in the sensor coil by changes in the sensor keeper position. The drive mechanism oscillates the flow conduit in response to the variable magnetic field produced by the drive signal.

Abstract: Improved drive means for oscillating the flow tubes of a parallel path Coriolis mass flow rate meter is described herein. The basic meter is known and comprises two substantially parallel flow tubes having oscillation axes and torsion axes. A pair of sensors sense the movement of the flow tubes about these axes with the time difference between the outputs of these sensors being indicative of the mass flow rate of the fluid. A drive means oscillates the tubes and comprises a coil and magnet-keeper arrangement. The present invention provides improved drive means comprising a rare earth-iron magnet having an annular configuration with a cup-shaped keeper member disposed thereabout to form an annular spacing. The magnet and keeper are affixed to the midpoint of one of the tubes. A coil is affixed to the other of the tubes with the coil interfitting into the annular spacing. The coil is so formed that the inductance does not exceed about nine millihenries.

Abstract: A device is taught for controlling the residual charge on a thyristor switched capacitor. A capacitor is in series circuit relationship with at least two bidirectional back-to-back thyristor switches which are then connected across an AC network. Each back-to-back thyristor combination is shunted by a non-linear clamping device which exhibits a very high resistance below a specified voltage level and a very low resistance above that voltage level. A pulse stretcher and a sequential firing circuit arrangement is used to prolong the conduction of one of the thyristor switches at a time to allow the shunting of its associated clamping device. During an overvoltage condition in the AC network, the residual charge on the capacitor will be limited to the breakdown voltage of the conducting clamping device. A plurality of capacitor, thyristor switch, non-linear clamping device combinations may be utilized in parallel with the AC network.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock for a pair of vertically mounted circuit breakers, each circuit breaker having a trip latch mechanism for opening the circuit breaker and a mechanical contact position indicator for indicating the open or closed position of the circuit breaker with the interlock extending between the trip latch mechanism and contact position indicator mechanism of each circuit breaker. The interlock allowing only one circuit breaker to be closed at any time.