Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit transferring a toner image on a first face of a sheet, a fixing unit fixing the toner image onto the first face of the sheet, and a sheet detecting unit detecting the sheet in a sheet transporting path. The sheet detecting unit includes a rotator which rotates by a slide contact on a second face which is backside of the first face of the sheet, and a supporting member which supports the rotator rotatably. The rotator is comprised of a material which is charged by the slide contact on the sheet with a first polarity, the first polarity being opposed to a second polarity with which a toner of the toner image is charged. The supporting member is comprised of a material charged by the slide contact on the sheet with the second polarity.

Abstract: A key array structure comprises a key array constituted by connecting a plurality of key members arranged in an array, it is characterized in that an elastic element is connected between each two adjacent key members and a positioning hole or position holes is or are disposed in the key member. The elastic member disposed between each two adjacent key members of the key array structure according to the present invention has a cushioning effect to adjust the deformation of the key array caused from the processes such as heat baking while manufacturing so as to allow the positioning hole in each key member to be precisely positioned with a corresponding position pin on a relative member.

Abstract: A system for printing media includes a plurality of marking engines for outputting printed media in a stream, a media path system operable to transport the printed media from the marking engines to one or more finishing stations such that the streams are merged and transported one on top of the other and one or more finishing stations capable of compiling media in groups of 2 or more sheets for post-processing the printed media into one or more completed jobs.

Abstract: An electrophotographic marking device includes a xerographic marking module and an environmental control module which controls temperature and relative humidity inside the marking module. The environmental module has a main plenum chamber and a divided or split plenum chamber to create and supply two air streams with different temperatures and/or different humidities and/or different airflow volumes and/or airflow rates to a marking engine. A primary air stream plenum chamber is closed loop controlled by input from one or more temperature and/or humidity sensors in the xerographic module. A secondary air stream plenum chamber is open loop controlled by means of one or more temperature and/or humidity sensors in one or mode developer housings. Heating of the secondary air stream is achieved by heat generated in the developer housing(s) and/or one or more heaters distinct from the developer unit elements. The system achieves balanced, thermodynamically adjusted, air flows.

Abstract: According to the claimed invention, a positioning apparatus is disclosed. The positioning apparatus comprises a motor and a Scotch yoke for controlling the position of a first printer part. The motor is for providing a rotational motion to the Scotch yoke. In response, part of the Scotch yoke moves in a linear fashion. As a result of the linear motion of the Scotch yoke, the position of the first printer part can be controlled.

Abstract: This invention is a keyboard apparatus with front and back key functionality. The body of the apparatus is held in the hands, supported by the palms. This leaves both of the thumbs and all of the fingers free to operate the key functionality, while the apparatus is being held. Key functionality installed on the back is operated by the fingers; key functionality installed on the front is operated by the thumbs. When properly configured, the user may perform full touch-typing techniques while holding the apparatus. This configuration may reduce stress on the hands. Modifier keys are shaped, grouped and positioned so they may be operated by one thumb. Algorithms provide keyboard lock function and aid the user in locating the home row of keys needed for touch-typing.

Abstract: A paper guide which does not make stripes on an image on a printing paper. The paper guide of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a guiding member for guiding the printing paper into a fusing unit, a plurality of guiding ribs formed on the guiding member to prevent direct contact of the printing paper with the guiding member, and a blocking bar formed on a leading end near the fusing unit of the guiding member in order that the spaces between the plurality of guiding ribs are blocked from the fusing unit. The blocking bar is formed at the same height as the guiding ribs and has a triangular section with a slope steeper than the section of the guiding ribs.

Abstract: A printing device including a feed roller assembly, a separation pad located adjacent to the feed roller assembly, and a printer housing having an access plate. The separation pad is user-accessible when the access plate is opened.

Abstract: A paper transferring device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of guide members forming a paper transferring path connecting a paper feeding device and a photosensitive drum, a feeding roller disposed on a side of the paper transferring path adjacent to the photosensitive drum, the feeding roller transferring a paper incoming along the paper transferring path to the photosensitive drum, at least one transferring roller disposed on the paper transferring path between the feeding roller and the paper feeding device, the transferring roller transferring the paper picked-up from the paper feeding device to the feeding roller, and a paper leading edge aligning unit for aligning a leading edge of the paper so that the leading edge of the paper is parallel to a rotation axis of the feeding roller prior to entering the feeding roller to prevent the paper from being skewed.

Abstract: A transaction-based printer has a sheet drive for forwarding a sheet through a printing station to a cutting station where the sheet is severed from a spool by a rotary cutter. A kicker element is mounted in the cutting station. Movement of the kicker element is coordinated through the cutter drive with that of the rotary cutter so that the severed sheet is kicked into a bin located in the top cover of the printer. The printer can be, for example, an ink-jet, dot matrix, dye sublimation or thermal printer used to print tickets, vouchers, coupons or the like.

Abstract: A system for printing media includes a plurality of marking engines for outputting printed media in a stream, a media path system operable to transport the printed media from the marking engines to one or more finishing stations such that the streams are merged and transported one on top of the other and one or more finishing stations capable of compiling media in groups of 2 or more sheets for post-processing the printed media into one or more completed jobs.

Abstract: A printing device for printing labels comprises a memory for storing one or more character sets, each character set including at least a principle character and an additional character which is associated with the principle character; user input means having character selection keys for selecting a character set to define an image to be printed by the printing device; and a controller for accessing characters from the memory to be displayed and printed which correspond to characters selected at the user input means. The first actuation of a character selection key selects the principle character in the selected character set and a subsequent activation of the character selection key in a predetermined time frame selects the associated additional character.

Abstract: A separable cutting mechanism for a printer comprises: a printing device with rollers used for mounting on a rail of the printer to move transversely; a cutting-knife unit with a carrier having rollers thereon to mount the cutting-knife unit on the rail of the printer and to be installed in juxtaposition with a plurality of printing heads; and an electromagnetic connector provided between the printing device and the carrier of the cutting-knife unit, the electromagnetic connector is provided with a magnetizing coil to generate attraction or release action when the printer is operated. Thereby, the cutting-knife unit and the printing device can be controlled to mutually attract with each other or can be separated for independent operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of avoiding core set curl in thermal prints comprising providing thermal print material wound image receiving side toward the core, passing said print material from said core around a turning roll in a direction opposite to the core wind, passing said print material under tension in an arcuate path with image side out beneath at least three thermal print heads to form an image.

Abstract: A system for processing cards including a magnetic medium extending along one side of the cards and printing on both sides of the cards is disclosed. The system is a plurality of card processing stations (14, 30, 24) spaced along a card transport (18?) extending between a card input 12 and a card output 16. A first drive motor (54) drives a transmission (60) coupling the motor to a card drive associated with each station to transport the cards at each station during processing thereof. A second drive motor 56 rotates a combined magnetic encoding and card flipping station. A controller 60 controls operation of the stations and the first and second motors so that the combined magnetic encoding and flipping station flips the cards to a reverse orientation to print a second side.

Abstract: A printer paper support system includes a housing, a first paper support pivotally attached to the housing and a second paper support pivotally attached to the housing, the second paper support extending the first paper support.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge has a take-up spool (130) with an opening having a plurality of drive surfaces (200) and slip surfaces (202). The take up spool is preferably of a one-piece construction. A first spindle with a cantilever member (196) and a tab (198) extending therefrom is mounted on the take-up spool. When the drive surface engages a tab of the spindle, rotation of the spindle rotates the take-up spool. When one of the slip surfaces engages the tab of the spindle, the spindle rotates relative to the take-up spool.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a document stacking tray on which documents are stacked, a feed roller for picking up, one sheet at a time, the documents that are stacked on the document stacking tray, a curved transporting path through which the document is transported, and a CCD reading unit and a CIS reading unit for reading images from the document. The document stacking tray includes a electric tray for raising or lowering the document within a range of a height of the curved transporting path, so as to feed the document to the feed roller. With such an arrangement, it is possible to provide an image reading device and an image forming apparatus that are capable of separating and transporting a large number of documents and efficiently reading images from the documents even when the documents are thick.

Abstract: Provided is a small-sized electrophotographic apparatus having a double face printing function, which can print at a high speed even during double face printing.

Abstract: In an image forming system in which a main body apparatus that forms an image and a plurality of optional apparatuses that can be retrofitted to the main body apparatus are combined, so that a sheet of recording material bearing on one side an image formed in an image forming section in the main body apparatus is switched back and then transported again to the image forming section, thereby allowing images to be formed on both the main and back sides of the sheet of recording material, of the plurality of optional apparatuses to be retrofitted to the main body apparatus, a specific optional apparatus is provided with a sheet receiving section for supporting the sheet of recording material to be switched back, at a portion opposite to the main body apparatus.