Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises a system and method for parallel conversion processing of a print job in a print system having a plurality of RIP engines, comprising the steps of: defining the print job for RIP of select portions of the print job in parallel; partitioning the print job into select portions according to defined boundaries; generating a substitute RIP instruction for each select portion of the print job; and processing the RIP requirements of each select portion in an assigned one of the plurality of RIP engines according to the substitute RIP instruction.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating the half-tone operation of a color marking engine for creating images formed in bi-level or quad-level dot density formats. In the first step, a test pattern is run to provide an output image of a plurality of gray patches formed of first, second and third color toners. The gray patches of the output image include first, second and third sets of patches reproduced respectively at dot density levels of 25%, 50% and 75% of a maximum dot density. The relative color toner levels in the gray patches within each set of patches varies a predetermined increment in value above or below the toner levels in a median valued gray patch. The remaining steps of the method include visually selecting an output image of a selected color marking engine having a minimum color shift; determining a correction factor defined for each color at the maximum dot density; and storing the correction factor as an offset from maximum density for images created at the bi-level and quad-level formats.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing page data of a print job to the printers in a multi-print engine based on print job parameters associated with the page data of the print job is disclosed. One or more virtual printers are configured, each with a plurality of individual print engines, each having associated printing characteristics. Page data of the print job, downloaded from a print file and having the print job parameters associated therewith, is rasterized and stored as bit-mapped images in print buffers associated with the multi-engined printing system. The bit-mapped images are distributed to select ones of the print engines based upon matching the print job parameters of each bit-mapped images with the printing characteristics of the print engine to be selected.

Abstract: A method for providing color correction to a color marking engine for halftone and contone images includes the step of first generating a test pattern. This test pattern has a plurality of discrete images disposed thereon with the discrete images having characteristics that are correlated with parameters of the print job. In one mode, they relate to halftone images that have differing densities of dots, each less than 100% density. The images are correlated to different bit values for the same densities such that the maximum density value for the pixel is offset for different images. A user then views the different images and determine which one is closest to a true gray and then selects the offset bit value for that image as the marking engine offset. This can then be applied to that particular marking engine. This can be utilized for a plurality of marking engines (651) with a single RIP (650).

Abstract: A method for providing color correction to a color marking engine for halftone and contone images includes the step of first generating a test pattern. This test pattern has a plurality of discrete images disposed thereon with the discrete images having characteristics that are correlated with parameters of the print job. In one mode, they relate to halftone images that have differing densities of dots, each less than 100% density. The images are correlated to different bit values for the same densities such that the maximum density value for the pixel is offset for different images. A user then views the different images and determine which one is closest to a true gray and then selects the offset bit value for that image as the marking engine offset. This can then be applied to that particular marking engine. This can be utilized for a plurality of marking engines (651) with a single RIP (650).

Abstract: A multiple print engine system includes a plurality of print engine modules (10) that are arranged in a parallel configuration. Each of the print engine modules (PEMs) is a dedicated print engine having an associated photoconductor drum (44) and a transfer drum (42). Paper is pulled from an associated paper bin (78) or (80) and passed through the transfer nip (46) between the two drums (44) and (42). The printed copy, either made by a monochrome process or a multipass color process, is then passed through a fuser (74) to a print buffer (16) which has an associated print buffer path (104). The paper is maintained in the print buffer until it is selected by the output combiner (20). The output combiner (20) extracts the paper from the print buffer (16) at a faster rate than it was processed by the associated one of the print engines (10). The images are distributed to the various print engines by an image distributor (30) which determines which image is associated with which engine.

Abstract: A multiple print engine configuration allows a plurality of workstations (10) to create individual print jobs and then transfer them to a distributing processor (14). The distributing processor (14) is operable to spool the jobs in a print spooler (20) and then perform a software RIP on the print jobs. The RIP process divides the jobs into multiple individual jobs which are stored in the page buffer (24). An image task manager (26) in conjunction with an engine manager (28) are then operable to selectively distribute the pages to multiple print engines (16). They are distributed in such a manner that they are placed in the output bins (40) in the order that the pages were received in the print jobs.

Abstract: A print engine is provided for electrophotographically transferring an image from an image source to an image-support member. The print engine includes a photoconductive member having a photoconductive surface for storing a latent, electrostatic image. A photoconductive drum charger and an image transfer device generate the latent, electrostatic image on the photoconductive surface. A developer station supplies developer to the latent, electrostatic image as it is being carried by the photoconductive surface to provide a developed image. A carrier member includes an electrically charged support surface for supporting an image-support member which is passed through an image transfer nip. The image transfer nip extends between the photoconductive member and the carrier member. The image-support member and the developed image are simultaneously passed through the image transfer nip so that the developed image is transferred to the image-support member.

Abstract: A mapping system is provided for mapping a first contone image and a second bi-level higher resolution image to an output image space for an electrophotographic marking engine, utilized as a printer. A bi-modal hardware device (22) is provided for receiving the information for the two images and then mapping it to the output image space in the marking engine (10). The pixel data associated with the high resolution image is stored in a FIFO (164) and then count values stored in a FIFO (158) associated with the portion of the line in the output image space that is associated with the high resolution image. The pixel data for the portion of the line associated with the low resolution image is stored in a FIFO (182) with a corresponding count value stored in a FIFO (178). A counter is then operable to determine how many pixels of the high resolution image are to be mapped in the output image space.

Abstract: A multiple print engine system includes a plurality of print engine modules (10) that are arranged in a parallel configuration. Each of the print engine modules (PEMs) is a dedicated print engine having an associated photoconductor drum (44) and a transfer drum (42). Paper is pulled from an associated paper bin (78) or (80) and passed through the transfer nip (46) between the two drums (44) and (42). The printed copy, either made by a monochrome process or a multipass color process, is then passed through a fuser (74) to a print buffer (16) which has an associated print buffer path (104). The paper is maintained in the print buffer until it is selected by the output combiner (20). The output combiner (20) extracts the paper from the print buffer (16) at a faster rate than it was processed by the associated one of the print engines (10). The images are distributed to the various print engines by an image distributor (30) which determines which image is associated with which engine.

Abstract: A buried electrode drum (48) includes a rigid core (10) over which a controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed. On the surface of the controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed a buried electrode layer (14), having electrodes (16) disposed therein along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). The electrode layer (14) is covered by a controlled resistivity layer (18). The controlled resistivity layer (18) is operable to be contacted on the surface thereof by an electrode (24) to allow a voltage to be transferred to the underlying electrodes (16) and therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). Various electrodes can be disposed about the peripheral edge of the drum (48) to allow any pattern to be formed on the surface of the drum (48).

Abstract: An electromagnetic shutter (40) is comprised of two poles, a south pole (42) and a north pole (44) that are disposed above the surface of a delivery roller element (32). The delivery roller element (32) rotates about a fixed magnet (30) that has various poles. The south pole (42) of the electromagnetic shutter (40) is aligned proximate to the one of the north poles of the magnet (30). When the electromagnetic shutter (40) is activated with the windings (48) and (50) or winding (48) only, the shutter will form a magnetic dam (79) of toner particles which will effectively prevent passage of the toner particles thereby.

Abstract: A buried electrode drum (48) includes a rigid core (10) over which a controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed. On the surface of the controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed a buried electrode layer (14), having electrodes (16) disposed therein along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). The electrode layer (14) is covered by a controlled resistivity layer (18). The controlled resistivity layer (18) is operable to be contacted on the surface thereof by an electrode (24) to allow a voltage to be transferred to the underlying electrodes (16) and therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). Various electrodes can be disposed about the peripheral edge of the drum (48) to allow any pattern to be formed on the surface of the drum (48).

Abstract: An electrophotographic print engine includes a photoconductor drum (20) that interfaces with a transfer drum (48) to form a transfer nip therebetween. Paper is disposed in a paper feed path (242) for traversal through the nip between two precurl rollers (242) and (244). The durometers of the two rollers (242) and (244) are different, such that one roller will cause the other to compress. This causes the paper to have a curvature bias in the direction of the curvature of the drum (48). The paper is then fed into an attachment nip formed between an attachment roller (198) and the drum (48). The paper is adhered thereto by electrostatic forces with the curvature of the paper allowing smaller forces to be utilized. In a multi-color print operation, the paper is maintained on the drum (48) for a number of passes until all images have been transferred thereto from the drum (20). A picker (248) then extracts the paper from the drum (48) and feeds it into a fuser mechanism.

Abstract: A buried electrode drum (48) includes a rigid core (10) over which a controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed. On the surface of the controlled durometer layer (12) is disposed a buried electrode layer (14), having electrodes (16) disposed therein along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). The electrode layer (14) is covered by a controlled resistivity layer (18). The controlled resistivity layer (18) is operable to be contacted on the surface thereof by an electrode (24) to allow a voltage to be transferred to the underlying electrodes (16) and therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the drum (48). Various electrodes can be disposed about the peripheral edge of the drum (48) to allow any pattern to be formed on the surface of the drum (48).

Abstract: A thermal reductor system is provided with a rotary ignition chamber having an input end, a discharge end of enlarged size relative to the input end and an inside chamber wall having a configuration for promoting natural flow of gases, smoke and ash discharge from the input end to the discharge end. To limit discharge of solid residue to a maximum predetermined size, the discharge end of the chamber is provided with a restricted ash exit. So that the ignition chamber is particularly suited for disposing of liquid wastes in a compact chamber construction, the inside chamber wall has a restriction intermediate the input and discharge ends of the chamber defining a barrier to liquid flow. An exhaust duct is provided for the passage of gases and smoke from the ignition chamber.