Abstract: A document handling system includes an imaging area; a light source located in proximity to the imaging area; a raster imaging scanning system located in proximity to the imaging area; and a looped document path, located in proximity to the imaging area, having an entrance and an exit. The exit of the looped document path is positioned such that an exiting document is placed upon the imaging area a second time. Alternatively, the document handling system includes a semicircular document path, located in proximity to a first imaging area, having an entrance and an exit; and a second imaging area located in proximity to the exit of the semicircular document path. A bi-directional fiber optic element is located between the first and second imaging areas to transmit light from the light source to the second imaging area and light reflected from the second imaging area to the first imaging area.

Abstract: A document handling system includes an imaging area; a light source located in proximity to the imaging area; a raster imaging scanning system located in proximity to the imaging area; and a looped document path, located in proximity to the imaging area, having an entrance and an exit. The exit of the looped document path is positioned such that an exiting document is placed upon the imaging area a second time. Alternatively, the document handling system includes a semicircular document path, located in proximity to a first imaging area, having an entrance and an exit; and a second imaging area located in proximity to the exit of the semicircular document path. A bidirectional fiber optic element is located between the first and second imaging areas to transmit light from the light source to the second imaging area and light reflected from the second imaging area to the first imaging area.

Abstract: A tandem printing system includes two printers separated by a dual finisher station centered between the two printers. The system's two input/output terminals are controlled to act as one high-speed print engine. With this arrangement, improved productivity is realized if one printer is not functional (i.e., 50% instead of 0%). The centrally positioned dual finisher station simplifies the paper path for the second of the dual finishers.