Abstract: A system enables multimedia messages, such as audio messages, to accompany print jobs sent from a remote workstation to a central printer. Each print job includes the data to be printed, job ticket data, and multimedia data. The job ticket data is maintained on a queue, and when the job is ready to be printed, the multimedia data is activated.

Abstract: A wafer design and dicing technique for creating semiconductor chips from wafers. A succession of oxide layers are deposited in first and second regions of a surface of a silicon substrate. The regions are separated by a street having no oxide layers therein, and the successive oxide layers form a vertical wall with a surface normal to the surface of the silicon substrate. A shock-absorbent material is deposited in the street, forming a concave meniscus therein. The shock-absorbent material retards the trajectories of silicon particles set into motion when the wafer is diced into chips.

Abstract: A electrophotographic printing apparatus comprises a first laser source, emitting a first beam in a first direction, and a second laser source, emitting a second beam in a second direction. A roof mirror directs the first beam and the second beam along a third direction, so that the two beams have a substantially coincident virtual source point.

Abstract: In a color input scanner for deriving digital signals from a full-color original image, a sensor bar having three parallel arrays of photosensors, each array being sensitive to a different primary color, is moved relative to the original image in a scan direction. With each scan cycle, the exposure of the photosensors in each array is precisely timed so that the optical "center of gravity" for each exposed area in the original image is superimposed for all of the primary color photosensors.

Abstract: A thermal ink-jet printhead adapted to emit ink onto a print sheet is automatically adjusted. The printhead is caused to emit ink onto a sheet in a manner consistent with an image of a first density, and then substantially immediately caused to emit ink in the form of a first test pattern on the sheet. The density of the first test pattern on the sheet is measured. The printhead is caused to emit ink onto the sheet in a manner consistent with an image of a second density, and then substantially immediately caused to emit ink in the form of a second test pattern on the sheet. The density of the second test pattern on the sheet is measured. The densities of the first test pattern and the second test pattern are correlated with a function relating a characteristic of an image printed with the printhead to a temperature of the printhead.

Abstract: A raster output scanner is capable of creating images at a wide range of selectable resolutions. A laser source for creating an image is modulated at a pixel clock rate. A clock command value is determined as a function of a value related to the pixel clock rate and a value related to a desired resolution in the fast-scan direction and a desired resolution in the slow-scan direction of an image to be created on the photosensitive surface. The pixel clock rate is controlled in response to the clock command value. A polygon command value is determined as a function of the value related to the pixel clock rate, a value related to a desired resolution in the fast-scan direction of an image to be created on the photosensitive surface, and a value related to a rotational velocity of the polygon mirror. The rotational velocity of the polygon mirror is controlled in response to the polygon command value.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing semiconductor chips, such as photosensor arrays for a full-page-width scanner or printhead chips for a full-page-width ink-jet printer, mounted on a substrate to maintain reasonably consistent spacing among adjacent chips. Before chips are tacked onto the substrate with uncured epoxy, the substrate is urged evenly against a work surface defining a concave bow. The radius of curvature of the concave bow is calculated as a function of the desired spacing between adjacent chips. When the substrate having chips tacked thereon is released form the work surface, neighboring chips have parallel adjacent surfaces of the desired spacing.

Abstract: A customer-replaceable supply accessory for a page printer, such as a toner cartridge or liquid-ink supply, includes a conductor which interacts with connectors within the printer to ensure proper installation of a given type of accessory. The conductor is exposed only within cavities on the accessory which receive springably-mounted extendible members. The extendible members serve to secure the accessory in position within the printer. The conductor is generally not apparent from the outside of the accessory.

Abstract: Data relating to the performance of an individual ink-jet printhead is stored in an electrically-readable form on a silicon substrate forming an essential part of the printhead. A template of electrically-detectable structure is created on the substrate at manufacture, and then portions of the structure are removed in accordance with the data desired to be stored. In one embodiment, the digital performance data may be encoded and also read out in serial form using a shift register on the chip.

Abstract: A system dynamically schedules the creation of images in an on-demand printing apparatus outputting simplex and duplex prints. For each simplex print, a simplex print block is appended to a schedule of images to be created, and for each duplex print, a duplex print block is appended to the schedule. The duplex block includes two portions, one portion for each image in the duplex print, separated by a number of pitches which can be occupied by other images. The duplex and simplex blocks are then organized in a manner which preserves the desired final sequence of prints and minimizes the number of unused image pitches in the printing apparatus. The scheduling technique can also be applied to multi-pass color printing.

Abstract: An apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image on a charge-retentive surface. A donor roll is selectably rotatable in a process direction and in a reverse direction relative to the process direction. A toner mover loads toner particles onto a portion of the surface of the donor roll. A metering blade is disposed downstream of the toner mover in the process direction. A seal is disposed upstream of the toner mover in the process direction, and is adapted to remove at least approximately half of the undeveloped toner from the donor roll.

Abstract: In an input scanner for recording hard-copy images by exposing areas of the image to an array of photosensors, a system ensures sensor array uniformity. With each cycle of passing a discrete image signal through an amplifier associated with each photosensor, a low standby current is applied to certain transistors within the amplifier until the next signal is to be output. Critical nodes within the amplifier are caused to settle to known charge values before each image signal is passed therethrough.

Abstract: A method of combining data sets of heterogeneous image formats, such as PDL's. in a printing system. A first image data set is translated by a coprocessor, using an interpretation code among many stored in memory. In response to "end of job" data in the first image data set, the first image data set in a final image format is transferred to the memory, and a second image data set is transferred from the memory to the coprocessor. The image format of the second image data set is determined. An interpretation code for translating the second image data set is loaded into the coprocessor.

Abstract: In a xerographic printer having single-component development, a metering blade that creates a uniform layer of toner on the developer roll is bowed with the ends of the blade curved toward the developer roll. The bowed blade results in more uniform metering pressure across the developer roll.

Abstract: In a network wherein a plurality of independent computers having various page description languages (PDL's) interface with a central printer through a plurality of lines, a system allows the user or administrator of a computer on each line to elect whether the line shall have the property of persistence of a PDL for all jobs coming through the line, or whether a new PDL shall be activated as necessary depending on the particular line.

Abstract: Semiconductor chips, such as photosensor arrays in a full-width scanner, are mounted on a substrate to maintain reasonably consistent spacing among chips regardless of temperature conditions during use. After chips are tacked onto the substrate with uncured epoxy, the assembly is brought to a low temperature prior to the heating of the curing step. The technique permits design of the assembly to compensate for differences between the thermal coefficient of expansion of the chips and that of the substrate, while also minimizing mechanical stresses on the chips caused by heating in the course of use.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging system server, the server being adapted to translate jobs written in a first data form to a second data form, and including a memory defining entry locations therein. Untranslated data relating to the first job is loaded at a first entry location in the memory. The untranslated data relating to the first job is translated, and untranslated data relating to the first job is removed from the memory as the untranslated data is translated. Translated data relating to the first job is loaded at a second entry location in the memory. Untranslated data relating to a second job is loaded at the first entry location in the memory while translating the untranslated data relating to the first job.

Abstract: A test system for a photosensitive array includes an on-board test circuit with a single input terminal, wherein the output of the test circuit directly affects the value of a bias charge placed on a selected photodiode. The test circuit enables a quick test for the presence of a desired bias charge when a digital-high voltage is entered on the single input terminal, and also enables a more precise test of photodiode response linearity by application of a predetermined analog voltage to the single input terminal.

Abstract: A raster input scanner comprises a linear array of photosensors arranged on a plurality of butted chips. The analog video signal from the first photosensor on each chip is read out for an extended period relative to the readout of the other photosensors on the chip, to provide extra settling time for the signal.

Abstract: An ionographic printer directs a stream of ions from a source to a charge receptor to create an electrostatic latent image thereon. The ion stream passes through a relatively large aperture having associated therewith a pinch electrode for narrowing the ion stream to a preselected width, and displacing electrodes for positioning the narrowed ion stream within the aperture. Varying the biases of the displacing electrodes causes the ion stream to scan across the aperture to deposit multiple spots of charged areas at desired locations on the receptor. The electrodes can be designed to compensate for spot placement skew and anomalies in the cross-sectional shape of the displaced ion stream.