Abstract: A user interface mechanism called a document key for determining the selections needed to support a given combination of services without the user having to explicitly select a given service. By simply changing document source and document destination characteristics, the user can create new combinations of functionality. In particular by selecting a given source and displaying a set of attributes related to the given source, selecting a given destination and displaying a set of attributes related to the given destination, and identifying a desired subset of the set of attributes related to the given source and to the given destination, the user can automatically construct a screen dialog for implementing the subsets of attributes related to the given source and destination.

Abstract: An electronic image processing apparatus having a marking machine, a source of copy sheets, a controller, and a plurality of resources wherein each of the resources includes an associated processor for storing data related to the operational timing of the associated resource. A bus interconnects the processors to the controller for directing the operation of the image processing apparatus to provide images on the copy sheets and the controller includes circuitry for interrogating each of the processors for the operational timing data and logic for responding to the operational timing data of each of the processors for dynamically configuring the controller to operate in accordance with the operational timing of the processors.

Abstract: In a sheet output system with a stacking tray for accumulating, registering, and stacking on top of preceding sheets in a superposed set stack the printed sheets sequentially individually outputted by a reproduction system; a low force sheet hole punching system integral the output stacking tray for punching holes through only one individual sheet at a time on top of the set stack, before the next sequential sheet is so registered and stacked, with all of the sheets having underlying commonly superposed sheet holes which function as a punch die.

Abstract: An image processing system which reads, in pixel units, an image on an original document using a scanner, processes the read image data, and outputs the processed image data. The image processing system includes a system for recognizing a circular image of a specific color.

Abstract: A device for use with a copying machine, printer or the like transports toner from a toner storage means into the developing unit of the copying machine or printer by way of a toner transporting path including a shaft with a spiral. A toner lump loosening arrangement for loosening toner lumps before delivery to the developing unit is also positioned along the toner transporting path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: (a) rotating a hollow cylindrical substrate having a coating thereon; (b) employing a gas bearing around the circumference of the rotating substrate along a portion of the length of the substrate to provide support to the substrate during its rotation; and (c) removing a portion of the coating.

Abstract: A process for cleaning imaging members which comprises applying thereto subsequent to the formation and development of images a composition comprised of resin particles, carbon black particles, magnetite, charge additive, or a mixture of charge additives, and a wax component comprised of polymeric alcohols of the formulaCH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.2 OHwherein n is a number of from about 30 to about 300, and thereafter removing said composition.

Abstract: A structured document used for exemplifying a retrieved result is analyzed by a structure analyzing section, and its structure is expanded in a memory. A search-formula structure extracting section consecutively fetches fixed-type structural patterns stored in a knowledge base, and finds a structural pattern including a substructure of the structured document exemplified by the user. A search-condition extracting section determines a value of a field used for a search formula with respect to each of the records contained in the substructure extracted by the search-formula structure extracting section. A search-formula synthesizing section synthesizes an expression in a form which can be recognized as a search formula. The synthesized search formula can be modified by a search-formula editing section in compliance with an edit instruction from the user on condition that the exemplified substructure is retrievable.

Abstract: An overcoating for an electrophotographic imaging member includes an amorphous fluoropolymer overcoating layer.

Abstract: A belt feeding device including a plurality of elastic rolls each having a plurality of disklike elastic fins arranged in an axial direction, and a belt member wrapped around a plurality of rolls inclusive of the elastic rolls and adapted to be circularly moved. Each elastic roll is formed by finishing the outer circumferential surfaces of the elastic fins to a given outer diameter with a given directionality from one axial end to the other axial end of the roll, and the given directionality of finishing of at least one of the elastic rolls is opposite to that of the other elastic rolls. Accordingly, the walk of the belt member due to the incompleteness of forming of the elastic roll around which the belt member is wrapped can be prevented to reduce an edge force acting on the side edge of the belt member.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic process including an image forming process comprising a charging step of bringing a conductive charging member into contact with a surface of a photoreceptor and applying a superimposed voltage of a direct current voltage and an alternating current voltage to said conductive charging member to directly charge the surface of the photoreceptor, an image exposing step, and a developing step, the application of the voltage to said conductive charging member is stopped for every cycle of the image forming process, whereby the wear of the photoreceptive layer can be reduced and the life of the photoreceptor can be extremely improved.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of holding and transporting a hollow flexible belt throughout a coating process. The method includes placing a spring and shaft assembly into the hollow portion of a seamless flexible belt, and expanding the spring portion of the assembly until it is transformed into a belt carrying chucking device. The chucking device is then attached to a mechanical handling device, and the the belt is transported through the dipping and coating process. This allows the belt to be transformed into an organic photoreceptor. The chucking device and flexible belt are then removed from the mechanical handling device, and the chuck is removed from the inside of the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A positively charged liquid developer comprised of a nonpolar liquid, thermoplastic resin particles, pigment, a charge director, and a charge control agent comprised of a cyclodextrin or a cyclodextrin derivative containing one or more organic basic amino groups.

Abstract: In a printer for printing text of one color over a background of another color, a method and circuit for allowing the text character outline boundaries to pass through the color halftone dots, creating partial dots in the process, the partial dots within the character boundaries being of the color of the text, and the partial dots outside of the character boundaries being the color of the background. To use a numerical example, to produce an eight bit output dot through which a boundary passes, fifteen halftone bits in the first color are produced for each dot clock, and the rightmost seven bits are latched for the next cycle. On the next clock, fifteen bits are produced, and the leftmost 7 are aligned with the latched seven. If the bits are to the left of the boundary, bits from the first cycle are output, and if the bits are to the right of the boundary, bits from the second cycle are used.

Abstract: A solenoid-controlled sheet registration mechanism for a copier/printer includes registration fingers for registering the lead edge of a sheet before it is fed to the transfer station of the copier/printer, to receive a developed image from the photoreceptor. The mechanism also includes a pair of nip rolls for forwarding the sheet to the transfer station, after registration. Energization of the solenoid moves the registration fingers into the registration position and disengages the nip rolls. Conversely, release of the solenoid allows the registration fingers to return to a non-registration position and the nip rolls to return to paper-feeding engagement, both of those return movements taking place under a resilient bias. To soften the impact between the nip rolls as they re-engage, and so reduce any resulting noise, the release of the solenoid is controlled by applying a pulsed drive signal to the solenoid during the release period after the energizing signal has ceased.

Abstract: A plurality of multifunction devices each having a facsimile function are connected together in a networking arrangement. Upon receipt of a job requiring a facsimile function, such a device initially checks its queues to determine whether there are any current facsimile jobs in the queues which would delay the transmission of the just-received job. If there are none, the job is transmitted in accordance with the device job priority control arrangement. If prior facsimile jobs are present in the queue, the device checks, via its network connection, other networked devices having facsimile capability from a preprogrammed list thereof, to determine whether any of the devices are not busy. In such a case, the job, with facsimile control instruction and data, is transferred to the non-busy facsimile for transmission.

Abstract: In a freight tracking and routing system, each individual package is provided with a tag physically attached thereto. The tag includes a radio or infrared transceiver, and a microprocessor. At important nodes at geographical locations within the distribution system, location transceivers broadcast signals representative of their locations. The microprocessor, in response to receiving a desired destination signal, emits a signal commanding external equipment to take the package so that it remains at the desired location. The tags are also capable of being electronically queried, or alternately can emit distress signals when they do not reach a particular location at a particular time.

Abstract: A maintenance system for an ink jet printer of the type having a full width array printhead has a movable carriage with a droplet sensor and a nozzle recovery device. As the carriage moves along the length of the printhead, each nozzle checked, one at a time, by the droplet sensor for the presence or absence of an ejected droplet and if the droplet has the correct directionality. Any problem nozzle is identified during a single traversal of the carriage across the printhead, and during a second traversal, the identified problem nozzles have a recovery operation performed on them such as being cleaned to remove any dried ink or other contaminating particles or being primed in the case of a clogged nozzle. The problem nozzles which have had a recovery operation performed on them and checked again by the droplet sensor is required for the entire array of nozzles, and ink is conserved since only predetermined nozzles are printed.

Abstract: The present invention is a digital imaging system for a copier that comprises a full-frame, two-dimensional sensor array to capture a document's image and a full-frame output light valve with backlight to flash expose the image onto a photoreceptor belt. The document is flash exposed to illuminate the page and the full-page image is captured by the full-frame, two dimensional sensor array. The sensor array then reads out the digital image data in response to a driver. The data is then input into the full-frame digital output light valve. The driver provides for the synchronous control of the system. Optionally, an electronic subsystem may perform digital image processing according to user demand--before the data arrives at the output light valve. After image processing (if any), the digital data, supplied to the full-page output light valve, forms a pattern on the display according to the data. The patterned image is then flash exposed by a backlight, through the light valve, and onto a photoreceptor.

Abstract: A raster scanning optical system and method for adjusting a scan line location on a light receiving member by a desired amount. A photoreceptor receives a light beam as the photoreceptor is advancing in a slow scan direction. A polygon mirror scans the light beam across the photoreceptor at a scan line location extending in a fast scan direction. A light transmissive plate is located in the path of the light beam between the polygon mirror and the photoreceptor. The light transmissive plate is adjusted by an adjusting device to displace the scan line location on the photoreceptor by the desired amount in a direction parallel to the slow scan direction.