Abstract: A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a light valve using a light source having a nominal power dissipation level. In the method, power is supplied to the light source to generate light and illuminate the spatial light modulator through the light input. During an initial portion of an illumination period of each colorband period, the power supplied to the light source is increased to an overdrive level above a nominal power dissipation level. In addition, the power supplied to the light source is decreased following the initial portion of each colorband period in the illumination period to thereby increase the intensity of the light source during the initial portions of the illumination periods of each colorband period and maintain a substantially uniform light output throughout the colorband periods.

Abstract: A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.

Abstract: Systems and methods of binding sheets by activating a microencapsulated binding agent are described. Each sheet to be bound has an exposed binding surface region near a spine edge. A frontside adhesive system is disposed over the frontside binding surface region and comprises a binding agent that is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The adhesive system is non-tacky to enable the sheets to be stacked and individually processed until the binding agent is released from the microcapsules.

Abstract: A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

Abstract: The skew of a sheet of print media is precisely controlled by intentionally inducing print media deformation, so that cooperative mechanical and gravitational forces may be used to align the leading edge of the sheet. The sheet is driven into a nip region of deskew rollers in a manner that causes the print media to deform, lifting a movable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feedpath into the nip region. The movable member applies a return force that is generally equal along a widthwise surface region of the print media. As a result, there is a reduced likelihood that the print media will be skewed relative to the nip region. In some applications, the return force is adjustable.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining when adhesive in a replaceable adhesive dispenser is nearly spent are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding system includes a receptacle for receiving a plug-in cartridge housing of an adhesive dispenser that contains a length of solid sheet adhesive wound into a roll, and an adhesive quantity interrogator that is configured to obtain an indication of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing. In another aspect, an adhesive dispenser includes a plug-in cartridge housing that is configured to plug into a receptacle of a bookbinding system, a length of solid sheet adhesive that is disposed within the plug-in cartridge housing and wound into a roll, and an indicator of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing consumables used in a bookbinding system are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding consumables quantity interrogator is configured to obtain information relating to usage of one or more consumables in a bookbinding system, and a processor is configured to compute usage statistics for the one or more bookbinding consumables based upon usage information obtained by the bookbinding consumables quantity interrogator.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a light valve using a light source with modulated intensity to improve light throughput and color balance while minimizing loss of color resolution. A light valve is provided that includes a light input, a light output and a spatial light modulator including an array of pixels. The spatial light modulator is illuminated through the light input with light generated by a light source having a nominal lamp power dissipation level. Image data is provided and the array of pixels is configured based on the image data during a display period so that the image data is represented in light from the light source received at the light output. During a portion of the display period, the intensity of the light generated by the light source is increased to a high level above the nominal lamp power dissipation. During another portion of the display period, the intensity of the light generated by the light source is decreased to a low level below the nominal lamp power dissipation level.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining when adhesive in a replaceable adhesive dispenser is nearly spent are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding system includes a receptacle for receiving a plug-in cartridge housing of an adhesive dispenser that contains a length of solid sheet adhesive wound into a roll, and an adhesive quantity interrogator that is configured to obtain an indication of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing. In another aspect, an adhesive dispenser includes a plug-in cartridge housing that is configured to plug into a receptacle of a bookbinding system, a length of solid sheet adhesive that is disposed within the plug-in cartridge housing and wound into a roll, and an indicator of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal-based light valve system with contrast control and a method for controlling contrast in a ferroelectric liquid crystal-based light valve system. The light valve system includes a light input, a ferroelectric liquid crystal-based spatial light modulator, an analyzer, and a voltage controller. The ferroelectric liquid crystal-based spatial light modulator includes signal processing electronics and an array of pixels. The array of pixels is configured to receive light from the light input and includes an array of pixel electrodes, a transparent electrode, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material. Each pixel electrode is independently switchable between a first voltage level and a second voltage level by the signal processing electronics. One of these levels may be a variable input voltage level. The analyzer has orthogonal directions of maximum transmissivity and minimum transmissivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing adhesive in a bookbinding system are described. Sheets may be bound into bound text bodies having respective spines exposed for adhesive application and characterized by multiple length dimensions and multiple thickness dimensions. In one aspect, a sheet binding system comprises an adhesive dispenser that is configured to dispense across the thickness dimension of a text body spine solid sheet adhesive having one of multiple effective widths that is sized to correspond substantially to the length dimension of the text body spine. In accordance with this approach, books of different lengths (or heights) may be readily bound with solid sheet adhesive that may be contained within a single, replaceable cartridge housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing consumables used in a bookbinding system are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding consumables quantity interrogator is configured to obtain information relating to usage of one or more consumables in a bookbinding system, and a processor is configured to compute usage statistics for the one or more bookbinding consumables based upon usage information obtained by the bookbinding consumables quantity interrogator.

Abstract: Systems and methods of binding sheets by activating a microencapsulated binding agent are described. Each sheet to be bound has an exposed binding surface region near a spine edge. A frontside adhesive system is disposed over the frontside binding surface region and comprises a binding agent that is encapsulated in a plurality of microcapsules. The adhesive system is non-tacky to enable the sheets to be stacked and individually processed until the binding agent is released from the microcapsules.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining when adhesive in a replaceable adhesive dispenser is nearly spent are described. In one aspect, a bookbinding system includes a receptacle for receiving a plug-in cartridge housing of an adhesive dispenser that contains a length of solid sheet adhesive wound into a roll, and an adhesive quantity interrogator that is configured to obtain an indication of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing. In another aspect, an adhesive dispenser includes a plug-in cartridge housing that is configured to plug into a receptacle of a bookbinding system, a length of solid sheet adhesive that is disposed within the plug-in cartridge housing and wound into a roll, and an indicator of the length of solid sheet adhesive remaining within the plug-in cartridge housing.

Abstract: A method of digital grayscale control using light source modulation. First, a light valve, grayscale data, and a light source are provided. The light valve includes a spatial light modulator with at least one pixel. The grayscale data indicates desired grayscale level for the pixel during a frame period. The light source is configured to illuminate the pixel, to generate light with increasing intensity for a rise-time after electric power to the light source is substantially increased, and to generate light with decreasing intensity for a decay-time after electric power to the light source is substantially reduced. The light source may be an arc-lamp. The rise-time and the decay-time taken together may constitute a majority of the frame period. During the frame period, the electric power to the light source is substantially increased and is substantially decreased. Substantially decreasing the electric power to the light source may include turning off the electric power.