Abstract: In a printer system which allows printing in multiple fonts, where the font to be used is specified in an encoded document to be printed, an operator designation of font equivalency is provided which specifies acceptable font substitutes of available fonts for unavailable fonts. Upon detection of a document specification of an unavailable font, a print controller searches a mapping of known fonts to available fonts to determine if an equivalent font has been designated. The mapping is operator-set in accordance with the operator perception of equivalence. Font equivalency mapping may be a yes/no equivalent, indicating substitution or job fault, or the mapping may have a multilevel substitution hierarchy, in which degress of equivalency are determined by the operator, and result in different warnings or machine operations dependent on different degrees of equivalency.

Abstract: In an electrostatograhic imaging device of the type forming a multilevel electrostatic latent image on a surface of the imaging member, and developing the multilevel electrostatic latent image with at least two types of toner, and a brush cleaner for removal of toner and debris remaining after transfer of the image to another surface, the brush is maintained in a condition loaded with a first toner type providing abrasive characteristics at the fibers of the brush, for abrading the photoreceptor for removal of toner of said second type.

Abstract: A touch sensitive user interface of the type having a display screen for displaying an image; control logic responsive to the touch sensitive user interface for determining the contact position of a probe, such as a finger, thereon; a display menu of operating features, represented by a plurality of images on the display screen, so that a user may make touch selections on the images corresponding to operating features desired; a system controller for identifying a contact zone of a predetermined size with respect to the display screen, the control logic actuating the feature within the system represented by a displayed image in response to user touch within a corresponding contact zone, the system controller enlarging the contact zone of a selected feature upon selection thereof, to a size accommodating a probe tip, without overlapping on adjacent areas and upon completion of option selection, returning the expanded contact areas to said predetermined size.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device includes a flexible belt-type sheet of paper or other transfer member into intimate contact with the charge retentive member, bearing a developed latent image and brings a charge retentive surface at a transfer station for electrostatic transfer of toner from the charge retentive surface to the sheet. At the transfer station, a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the charge retentive surface, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the charge retentive member. Toner is released from the electrostatic and mechanical forces adhering it to the charge retentive surface at the line contact position.

Abstract: In an ionographic device having a printhead, including a source of ions, a modulation channel defining a path for a stream of ions from the the ion source towards a moving imaging surface, an array of modulation electrodes arranged along the path to modulate the stream of ions in imagewise fashion, a gating electrode is provided at a location adjacent to the path of ion stream, biased to create a field to block or allow passage of the ion stream in accordance with movement of the imaging surface, the biasing arrangement allowing passage of ions for a maximum period over which ions for a line of the image are deposited on the moving imaging surface. The bias on the electrode is controlled in accordance with movement of the imaging surface, as detected by a motion detecting encoder, and in accordance with a predetermined period to produce a constant charge density on the imaging surface at the writing position.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (PZT) device operating at a relatively high frequency is coupled to the backside of a somewhat flexible imaging surface to cause localized vibration at a predetermined amplitude, and is positioned in close association with a cleaning enhancing electrostatic charging or discharging device associated with the imaging surface cleaning function, whereby residual toner and debris (hereinafter referred to as simply toner) is fluidized for enhanced electrostatic discharge of the toner and/or imaging surface, and released from the mechanical forces adhering the toner to the imaging surface.

Abstract: In association with a primary cleaner device used to remove the preponderance of toner remaining on a charge retentive surface after transfer, a secondary cleaning member is provided, arranged for the removal of toner agglomerates formed by the agglomeration of tone, and toner and debris. The secondary cleaning member is characterized as a thin scraper member arranged at a low angle of attack with respect to the photoreceptor so that a maximum shearing force can be applied by the blade to the agglomerates for removal thereof. A relatively low load is applied to the blade, so that the problems associated with normal cleaning engagement of blades with a charge retentive surface are avoided. The blade is supported in a floating support assembly, that floats during break in of a new blade to prevent tuckunder and damage to the blade. The weight of the floating support assembly is optimized for the break in period when frictional forces are the highest.

Abstract: A color detection and/or recognition apparatus comprises a twin row array (16) of detector elements, each element being arranged to produce an electrical signal on detection of a given color. The two rows (21, 22) each comprise a plurality of groups of detector elements, with the elements in each group of at least one of the arrays being sensitive to a respective different color, with corresponding elements in the two rows being sensitive to different colors, and with the four elements of adjacent corresponding pairs of elements in the two rows being sensitive to at least three different colors. THe electrical signals are processed to provide a determination of the detection of color or the recognition of a color. The two rows of detector elements, typically photosensitive sites in CCD arrays, may be formed closely adjacent one another on the same semiconductor substrate, together with CCD shift registers (23, 24) along the outside edges of the two rows.

Abstract: For the enhancement of toner release from an imaging surface on a flexible belt member in an electrophotographic device, a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the belt member, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the member. The resonator includes a horn divided into a linear array of segments, and an array of vibration producing elements, each coupled to at least one horn segment, and driven with a voltage to produce a high frequency vibratory response. To avoid the problem of roll-off in response that occurs at the outer segments of the array of horn segments, the vibration producing elements coupled to the outer horn segments are driven with a higher voltage than those coupled to horn segments in the central portion of the array.

Abstract: In an electronic image scanning device having an array of photosensitive elements, or photosites, arranged and supported for deriving electronic image information from an original, an arrangement for input of control information to the device includes a surface with a plurality of unique control images thereon, detectable by the photosites, is arranged for operator controlled movement. The scanning of the control images occurs during a non-image scanning period in the operation of the scanning device. The unique control images are recognized as control information. The operator controlled movement reflects operator selection of control information.

Abstract: A document background member is provided with a distinctive background patterning including image data of a selected frequency, that the background can be detected by an image frequency detection circuit. Detection or non-detection of the distinctive patterning enables determination of edges of a scanned original. In an electrophotographic-type copier, an edge sensing ararngement may be provided with a distinctive background patterning against which the image is illuminated, to provide an electronically detectable and clear delineation between document and background for the purpose of edge detection. The edge detection arrangement may also control various erasure arrangements that erase the detectable patterning, to prevent it from showing up in the image. A sensor may be fabricated to produced a strong detectable beating pattern when used against selected background patternings.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device includes a flexible belt-type charge retentive member, bearing a developed latent image and brings a sheet of paper or other transfer member into intimate contact with the charge retentive surface at a transfer station for electrostatic transfer of toner from the charge retentive surface to the sheet. At the transfer station, a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the charge retentive, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the charge retentive member surface at a position opposite the transfer coronode or peak transfer field, or slightly upstream therefrom. Toner is released from the electrostatic and mechanical forces adjering it to the charge retentive surface at the line contact position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic device of the type including a flexible belt charge retentive member, driven along an endless path through a series of processing stations that create a latent image on the charge retentive surface, develop the image with toner, and bring a sheet of paper or other transfer member into intimate contact with the charge retentive surface at a transfer station for electrostatic transfer of toner from the charge retentive surface to the sheet. For the enhancement of toner release from a surface at any of the processing stations, a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the charge retentive surface, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the charge retentive member. The resonator includes a horn, a continuous support member, and a continuous vibration producing member that drives the horn at a resonant frequency to apply vibratoy energy to the belt.

Abstract: For the enhancement of toner release from an imaging surface on a flexible belt member in an electrophotographic device a resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of the belt member, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the member. The resonator includes a horn divided into a linear array of segments, and an array of vibration producing elements, each coupled to at least one horn segment, and driven with a voltage to produce a high frequency vibratory response. To avoid the problem of variations in response that occurs due to varying resonant frequencies of each horn element, the vibration producing elements are driven across a range of frequencies that includes each resonant frequency required, over a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: In an ionographic device projecting a modulated stream of ions in imagewise fashion towards a moving imaging surface, including an ion printing head having an ion chamber supporting a coronode held at a voltage V.sub.C to produce ions for deposit on an imaging surface and a modulation channel extending from the ion chamber towards the imaging surface through which a stream of ions is directed for imagewise modulation by a plurality of modulation electrodes, electric field distribution within the ion chamber is controlled by selectively varying voltages along the surface regions of the ion chamber to different voltage levels, in an arrangement causing focusing of ion density in the area of the ion chamber adjacent to the modulation channel. An increased ion density in the area of the ion chamber adjacent to the modulation channel assists in providing an increased corona current at the output of the device.

Abstract: In association with a primary cleaner device, used to remove the preponderance of toner remaining on a charge retentive surface after transfer, a secondary cleaning member is provided, arranged for the removal of toner agglomerates formed by the agglomeration of toner, and toner and debris. The secondary cleaning member is characterized as a thin scraper member arranged at a low angle of attack with respect to the photoreceptor so that a maximum shearing force can be applied by the blade to the agglomerates for removal thereof. A relatively low load is applied to the blade, so that the problems associated with normal cleaning engagement of blades with a charge retentive surface are avoided.

Abstract: A resonator suitable for generating vibratory energy is arranged in line contact with the back side of charge retentive member bearing an image on a surface thereof, in an electrophotographic device, to uniformly apply vibratory energy to the charge retentive member. The resonator includes a vacuum producing element, a vibrating member, and a seal arrangement. When the vibratory energy is to be applied to the charge retentive surface, a vacuum is applied by the vacuum producing element at the point of contact with the charge retentive surfaces resonator, to draw the surface into intimate engagement with the vibrating member,and seal arrangement. The invention has application to a transfer station of enhancing electrostatic transfer for toner from the charge retentive surface to a copy sheet, and to a cleaning station, where mechanical vibration of the surface will improve the release of residual toner remaining after transfer.

Abstract: A cleaning blade is provided incorporating fiber fillers oriented in a single direction in an elastomeric matrix. In use, the cleaning blade is mounted for cleaning operation in a manner orienting the fiber fillers generally parallel to process direction. The material thereby provided is resistant to damage, and is relatively stiff in the process direction, while relatively conformable in the lateral direction.

Abstract: In an ionographic device projecting a stream of ions towards a moving imaging surface, modulated in imagewise fashion, an array of control electrodes corresponding to the ion stream modulating array of electrodes, is arranged adjacent to the path of the ion stream and between the source of the modulated ion stream and the imagaing surface, biased with a voltage preventing previously deposited charge from pertubing the trajectory of subsequently projected ions to limit the amount of ion beam deflection caused by the presence of electrostatic charge patterns on the electroreceptor. The control electrode voltage increases with the period over which the modulation electrode has allowed the flow of ions therepast.

Abstract: In an ionographic device projecting a stream of ions towards a moving imaging surface, modulated in imagewise fashion, one or more control electrodes may be arranged adjacent to the path of the ion stream and between the source of the modulated ion stream and the imaging surface, biased with a voltage preventing previously deposited charge from perturbing the trajectory of subsequently projected ions to limit the amount of ion beam deflection caused by the presence of electrostatic charge patterns on the electroreceptor.