Abstract: An ice scraper including an elongated, hollow body portion, having a first end and a second end, and capable of receiving a lock de-icer container within the hollow body portion at the first end, wherein the lock de-icer container includes means for dispensing de-icer; and a blade member having an outer periphery and a forward edge, with a scraper blade formed in said forward edge for scraping ice from a surface, said blade member mounted to said hollow body portion at the second end.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a digital scanner for scanning images. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for accurately scanning documents and for processing digital data to provide digital images stored in memory, which can be retrieved for printing on support material or for displaying on a display screen. The present invention updates user settings based on the use of the digital scanner by an operator.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a printing apparatus including a marking device, the marking device being capable of placing an image on a sheet fed therein, and outputting the sheet; a feed path, by which sheets are fed from a sheet supply to the marking device; a duplex path, by which sheets output from the marking device are re-fed to the marking device; a first sensor, outputting a first position signal relating to a location of a side edge as each sheet passes through the feed path; a second sensor, outputting a second position signal relating to a location of a side edge as each sheet passes through the duplex path; and an image placement controller associated with the marking device, the image placement controller retaining first position signals for a plurality of sheets passing through the feed path and second position signals for a plurality of sheets passing through the duplex path, and calculating new average paper positions for each sheet in response to at least one of the first positi

Abstract: An entire structure utilizing fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) pultruded structural shapes is provided for use in decks, docks, and boardwalks. This deck system for building decking, docks, boardwalks, walkways, gazebos, hot tub decks and spas can be built either to and extending from the exterior side of residential or commercial structures or as an independent, freestanding structure. The invention is assembled from FRP pultruded components comprising several systems which include a weight bearing support system, flooring system, safety system, roofing system, and decorative system. Components of the invention including but not limited to vertical support posts, horizontal decking, railing, stairs, gates, doors, frames and supporting members will be manufactured from FRP pultrusion structural shapes and composite sections using corrosion resistant hardware and adhesives.

Abstract: An improved “code-free” method of describing EDI business information manipulation processes. Whereas currently EDI translation and message processing is characterized by complex programming methods, this use of a spreadsheet style metaphor enables EDI processing to be developed that can be used in an ad hoc and dynamic fashion. This matches the business requirements brought about by environments such as the Internet and Electronic Commerce. Also the method can be integrated directly into modern software tools such as Web Browser software, and used by people who are not intimately familiar with the exact details of EDI message syntax. Instead they utilize a familiar data representation in order to accomplish a complex task that otherwise would instead require highly skilled programming knowledge to perform.

Abstract: A technique for etching a silicon oxide film using a silicon nitride film as a stopper is provided so that a contact hole is opened in a self-aligned manner, etc., which corresponds to a semiconductor with a microstructure and a high aspect ratio. In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including an etching process for etching a silicon oxide film using a silicon nitride film as a stopper, atoms of one or more kinds selected from a group consisting of carbon and atoms whose reactivity to fluorine and oxygen is equivalent to that of carbon are implanted into said silicon nitride film by an ion implantation method before said etching process, so that selectivity of silicon oxide for silicon nitride in said etching process is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor cover glass for covering photosensitive chips for generating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found for example in a digital scanner, copier, facsimile machine, or other digital imaging device or system. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing a sensor cover glass with an infrared filter material for blocking infrared light from reaching the photosensitive chips. This system is particularly applicable to color input imaging devices or systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor devices with a reduced filter thinning of outer photosites and a method for reducing the thinning of filter layers of the outer photosites. A semiconductor device includes a main surface including a plurality of photosites and bonding pads defined in the main surface, wherein the photosites include inner photosites and outer photosites. The semiconductor device further includes a clear layer deposited over the main surface exclusive of the bonding pads and outer photosites, and a first primary color filter layer deposited over at least first inner photosite and first outer photosite, the first primary color filter transmitting a primary color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electro optical devices with a reduced filter thinning on the edge pixels and a method for reducing the thinning of filter layers on the pixels closest to the edge of an electro optical device such as a photosensitive chip, as would be used, for example, in a full-color digital copier or scanner. A semiconductor wafer includes a main surface defining a plurality of chip areas and tab regions separated by grooves, wherein the chip areas include inner photosites, outer photosites and bonding pads. A plurality of dams are deposited over the main surface in the tab regions, and a clear layer is deposited over the main surface exclusive of the bonding pads. Alternatively, a clear layer is deposited over the main surface exclusive of the bonding pads, and a plurality of tabs is then deposited in the tab regions on the main surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor devices with a reduced filter thinning of outer photosites and a method for reducing the thinning of filter layers of the outer photosites. A semiconductor device includes a main surface including a plurality of photosites and bonding pads defined in the main surface, wherein the photosites include inner photosites and outer photosites. The semiconductor device further includes a clear layer deposited over the main surface exclusive of the bonding pads and outer photosites, and a first primary color filter layer deposited over at least first inner photosite and first outer photosite, the first primary color filter transmitting a primary color.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner. The toner concentration control system comprises: a sensor, reading the toner concentration; means for determining a toner age correction of toner concentration read by the sensor based on toner age of the toner in the developer structure; means for adjusting a toner concentration target based on the correction; and means for generating a feedback dispense command based on the adjusted toner concentration target to dispense toner into the developer structure to maintain the toner concentration in the developer structure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a feed forward toner concentration control system and method for replacing toner in each developer structure, which was used to develop a latent image on a photoreceptor belt, in order to maintain toner concentration in at least one developer structure. First and second pixel counts for first and second toner in each sector are received. The first toner mass is estimated based on first pixel counts. The second toner mass is estimated based on second pixel counts.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an imaging system, and more specifically, a method and apparatus for accurately predicting toner usage and hence toner dispensing requirements in an imaging system. More, specifically, the present invention relates to a toner concentration control system for maintaining toner concentration in a developer structure, which is connected to a dispenser containing toner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found for example in a digital scanner, copier, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. More specifically, the present invention provides a way of shielding the edge photosites with an opaque layer that overlaps the diced region and preserves the integrity of the filter layers while eliminating the need for a guardring to decrease the dead space and consequently reduce the undesirable effects of Moire patterns.

Abstract: A method of developing a job for output with an output subsystem is provided. The method includes generating a first electronic representation of a first image at a first time, reading a subset of placemarking instructions at a second time, generating a second representation of a second image at a third time, wherein the second time is after the first time but before the third time. At a fourth time, which fourth time is after the first, second and third times, a selected function is performed relative to a third electronic representation of a third image in response to the reading of the subset of placemaking instructions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for modifying line synchronization signals that drive at least one secondary image exposure device in a multicolor printing or reprographic system. The ability to alter the line synchronization signals enables the accurate registration of a multiple color images on a photoconductor in response to detected photoreceptor motion. More specifically, the first color image is deposited on the photoreceptor using a servomotor control system to control photoreceptor velocity as a function of the desired raster line spacing, or the frequency at which the individual raster lines are deposited. All subsequently added colors in the single-pass printing system are added under the control of phase-locked loops, wherein the line synchronization pulses are produced as a function of the photoreceptor speed, to correct for variations from the nominal photoreceptor velocity.

Abstract: A digital copying and printing system associated with a computer network for prioritizing and executing copy and print jobs. Two central processing units share the prioritizing and interpreting of copy and print jobs, so that the copy and print jobs are performed in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a digital imaging system. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for calculating toner age using a toner concentration sensor and mass sensor to ensure image quality by anticipating or diagnosing problems in image quality, which may be caused by toner age. These problems include low developability, high background, and halo defects appearing on sheets of support material.