Abstract: A method and apparatus for almost-constant-time re-clustering of corpus subsets with customizable time/precision tradeoff, is usable in a basic browsing method, such as Scatter/Gather, to successfully partition a large document collection into clusters of related documents. The user is first presented with a clustering of the entire corpus into metadocuments from which the worst metadocument is selected and replaced with its "children". Children containing no documents of interest are pruned and the remaining metadocuments are further expanded until a predetermined number of children metadocuments are obtain. The resulting metadocuments are then reclustered. The process is repeated until the user obtains the desired degree of specificity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of compensating for the offset present in image signals produced by an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to accurately characterizing the offset, gain and higher order responses of image sensing elements to enable correction thereof in an image sensing device or scanner. The method utilizes intermediate (grey) reflectance targets to measure the response of each sensor element and then, using the measured responses, fits a characteristic curve to the responses to calculate the response of the sensor element, including a zero reflectance situation, to characterize an accurate offset level, gain, and higher order response for the sensor. Moreover, additional reflectance targets and response may be employed so as to enable the characterization of image sensing elements exhibiting non-linear responses to linearly increasing light intensities.

Abstract: Several variations in full-color additive gyricons are shown. Each gyricon shown has been designed for ease of construction by eliminating the need for precise placement of rotating elements, alignment between the gyricon layers, if any, and alignment between the gyricon sheet and the addressing device.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic imaging apparatus employing at least one charging device, in an electrostatic charge process involving the creation of latent electrostatic images, A method for controlling corona current generation by said at least one charging device is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: generating an AC current and an AC voltage with a power supply; measuring the steady state negative half cycle of current, filtering capacitive current spikes from said negative half cycle current measurement and generating a corona current feedback signal in response to said filtering step; and dynamically adjusting the AC voltage in response to the corona current feedback signal so that the steady state negative half cycle of current measured in said measuring step remains constant.

Abstract: A document handling system adapted for delivery of input documents to an imaging station of an imaging input terminal, wherein a friction transport belt transports the input documents across an imaging platen of the imaging station. The belt is urged into planar orientation with the platen by a self-levitating pressure loading element in the form of a ski-like member that bears upon the belt for encouraging flat or horizontal orientation of input documents on an imaging platen. The ski like member is provided with a configuration for capturing inherent airflow generated by the transport motion of the belt so as reduce the load pressure produced by the ski when the transport belt is in motion, thereby reducing frictional forces to substantially reduce drag and wear in the document handling system.

Abstract: A cantilever valve useful for paper handling applications is disclosed. The valve can be batch fabricated in two dimensional valve arrays, with each valve in the array being controlled by passive matrix addressing. Typically, each valve includes a valve housing having an aperture plate defining an aperture therethrough, and an opposing port plate positioned in spaced apart relationship to the aperture plate. A flexible film or strip is attached at its first end between the aperture and port plates and is unattached so that it is free to move between the aperture and port plates at its second end. Valve action is provided by use of a single switching electrode for moving the flexible film between an aperture blocking position and an aperture open position, with the switching electrodes positioned adjacent to the port plate.

Abstract: An improved transmission control method for use in a network which includes a time division multiplexing channel and a contention control channel. At least one station and a central control unit are connected both to a contention control channel and a time division multiplexing (TDMA) channel. When a station starts a time division multiplexing session, it transmits an access request to the central control unit via the contention control channel. After the central control unit receives the access request, the station which transmitted the access request is included in the order of the time division multiplexing (TDMA). The central control unit repeatedly transmits a transmission permitting token to the station via the TDMA channel in accordance with the order of the time division multiplexing.

Abstract: Vertical scanning speed and the accumulation time of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a CCD are set in accordance with a resolution and a magnification set on a control panel. The accumulation time is set in a timing control section and the CCD is driven. The vertical scanning speed is set in a scan motor or is sent to an ADF control section for controlling a move of an original or an optical system, whereby the original is vertically scanned in response to the setup resolution and magnification for sampling the original image. As the accumulation time is changed, CCD output changes. Thus, to correct it, a gain and offset values as the accumulation time is changed are set in gain control sections, an odd/even correction section, and an offset correction section.

Abstract: A filter in a printing machine traps contaminants from a stream of air passing therethrough. The filter includes a support member defining an aperture therethrough for the passage of the stream of air. The support member has a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the flow of the stream of air. The cross section has an oblong shape and includes a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The filter further includes an air permeable member supported by the support member. The air permeable member defines a opening therein for receiving the stream of air. The filter further includes a reinforcement connected to the air permeable member. The reinforcement extends along the air permeable member in the direction of the stream of air. The reinforcement is positioned with respect to the support member so as to shape the air permeable member so that the opening may be sufficiently large to efficiently receive the stream of air.

Abstract: A charging roller for use in a machine in which an electrical bias is applied to a surface of a member is provided. The charging roller includes a shaft, a foam material surrounding at least a portion of the shaft, and a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material surrounds at least a portion of the foam material. The foam material is adapted to provide for greater compliance to prevent vibration of the roller against the surface.

Abstract: An ink printer designed to make users free from any danger when an inktank is replaced and to prevent ink from leaking out when the inktank is detached. The joint part of an inktank is pressed against the ink guide of a print head to couple the inktank and the print head together, so that ink is supplied from the inktank to the print head. The joint part is supplied with a porous material. When the inktank is attached, the porous material is compressed and contained in the joint part. When the inktank is detached from the print head, the volume of the porous material increases thereby raising its porosity. The ink remaining in the joint part is absorbed by the porous material whose porosity has been raised, so that ink is prevented from flowing out in the vicinity of the joint part when the inktank is removed.

Abstract: A developer backer bar having a surface having a plurality of radii for interfacing with a noncontact developer member. The backer bar is arranged so that it can be retracted for clearance purposes when removing or inserting a xerographic CRU. Upon installation of the CRU, the backer bar is biased into position to maintain a development zone within predetermined parameters. The multiple radii surface eliminates or minimizes errors that may result from slight variations in axial alignment between the backer bar and the developer member while additionally providing low drag forces on the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus, and a multicolor image reproduction machine including such a development apparatus are provided for creating toner images with reduced development fields. The electrostatic sonic toner release (electrostatic STORE) development apparatus includes a development housing defining a sump for holding developer material containing the toner particles; developer moving assembly mounted within the sump for transporting developer material within the sump; and a donor assembly mounted partially within the sump for receiving toner particles from the developer moving assembly, and for transporting the toner particles through a development nip of the reproduction machine.

Abstract: An image forming system wherein a predetermined monitor signal is applied to a transfer roll for estimating a resistance value of the transfer roll between one sheet of recording paper passing through the contact portion between a photosensitive drum and the transfer roll and the next sheet of recording paper being introduced into the contact portion and the transfer bias applied to the transfer roll is updated in response to the estimated resistance value. In the image forming system, if the time between one sheet of recording paper passing through the contact portion and the next sheet of recording paper being introduced into the contact portion is less than a predetermined time, updating of the transfer bias is inhibited, and further if updating of the transfer bias is inhibited successively a predetermined threshold value of the number of times or more, introduction of the next sheet of recording paper is delayed a predetermined time.

Abstract: An electrophotographic transfer sheet which comprises a substrate having, on at least one side thereof, a transparent resin layer comprising a polyester resin as a main component, wherein the weight average molecular weight (Mwa) of the transparent resin and the weight average molecular weight (Mwb) of a binding resin of a color toner used for fixing satisfy the relationship represented by the following equation:Mwa-Mwb.gtoreq.10,000and a melt inclination angle between the transparent resin and the binding resin of the color toner at the fixing temperature of the color toner is 40.degree. or less.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided which can detect the presence, absence or magnitude of pressure. The pressure sensor includes a sensor membrane and a sensor device. The sensor membrane is flexible and may be constructed of a conductive material or may include a flexible film attached to a conductive film. The sensor device includes an electrode substrate having an electrode surface and a set of electrodes disposed on the electrode surface. As pressure is applied to the sensor membrane, the sensor membrane distends or deforms towards the electrode set positioned on the electrode surface. As sufficient pressure is applied, the sensor membrane will make both electrical and mechanical contact with at least two of the electrodes. Since the sensor membrane is conductive, the contacted electrodes will be in electrical connection with each other. As pressure is increased, additional electrodes will be contacted and placed in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: An image processing coefficient determination method of an image processing system comprising the steps of:outputting test pattern image data having one or more image areas each containing a specific spatial frequency component by an image output device for preparing an output image,measuring a spatial frequency characteristic of the output image, anddetermining spatial frequency processing coefficients from a relationship between a spatial frequency characteristic of the test pattern image data and the measurement result of the spatial frequency characteristic of the output image.

Abstract: A simple method of anti-aliasing for edges near the fast scan direction is to replace the pixels on both sides of the transition in a scan with pixels of varying intermediate color. Thus, if there is an edge between red and blue areas, instead of there being an abrupt change from red to blue at the edge, there will be a number of pixels that slowly vary from mostly red to mostly blue, which will tend to make the jagged edge less obvious.

Abstract: A printing machine having a moving imaging surface, a projecting system for modulating a beam and projecting an image onto the imaging surface, a developer for application of toner to the image projected onto the imaging surface for transfer of the image to a medium, a method of development control including the steps of; generating a setup calibration tone curve base on a preset representative halftone patches; marking a test pattern in the interdocument zone of the imaging surface, the test pattern comprising a plurality of halftone patches; sensing the test pattern and measuring a relative reflection of each of said plurality of halftone patches in the interdocument zone of the imaging surface; entering said measured values into a matrix and correlating said matrix to a plurality of print quality actuators; generating a representative tone reproduction curve base on the matrix results; producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to said setup calibration tone curve;

Abstract: A compiling and stapling system with a compiling station for receiving and stacking sets of printed sheets inputted in a defined direction of movement for compiling and stapling them along a sheet edge transverse that movement direction with a two-part stapler providing ejection of the stapled sets out through that two-part stapler in the same direction of movement. This stapler has a staple driving unit separate from its staple clinching unit with an unobstructed spacing between them providing for unobstructed feeding of the stapled sets completely through the stapler in between the two separate units. An interlocking system such as a solenoid retractable alignment pin normally interlocks the two units in correct alignment for cooperate stapling and clinching of the collated set. The interlocking system then automatically unlocks the two units to provide an unobstructed set output path between the two units in that same direction of movement as the input path to the system.