Abstract: An Oldham coupler assembly capable of transferring rotary power between two shafts in a developer unit of an image forming apparatus that includes an input plate and an output plate made of metal and a star plate made in plastic mechanically coupled and positioned in between the input plate and the output plate. A spline component made of metal is rigidly and integrally attached to the input plate, the spline component including a tubular spline portion that includes a plurality of wear strips made of plastic, the output plate having a plastic material coated along a portion of an outside diameter of the output plate. The input and output plates further includes a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of wheels and pins. This structure allows a sufficiently stiff drive system to substantially eliminate fine line jitter by raising the natural frequency of the drive system.

Abstract: A composite torque transfer body and spline assembly includes a torque transfer component made of a first material and having a central body portion and a peripheral torque transfer portion integrally attached to and extending about the central body portion, a spline component made of a second material different from and having stiffness greater than that of the first material of the torque transfer component and also having an elongated tubular spline portion and a collar portion integrally attached to and extending about and radially outward from an end of the spline portion, and a plurality of elements on the central body portion of the torque transfer component and the collar portion of the spline component providing separate press-fitting and securing of the components to one another such that the components are mated and rotatable together about a central axis.

Abstract: Problematic open areas are identified in a semiconductor wafer layout. The problematic open areas have a size variation relative to one or more neighboring open areas of the layout sufficient to cause adverse microloading variation. In one embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by shifting a number of layout features to interdict the problematic open areas. In another embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by defining and placing a number of dummy layout features to shield actual layout features that neighbor the problematic open areas. In another embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by utilizing sacrificial layout features which are actually fabricated on the wafer temporarily to eliminate microloading variation, and which are subsequently removed from the wafer to leave behind the desired permanent structures.

Abstract: Regular layout shapes are placed in accordance with a virtual grate. A determination is made as to whether an unoccupied layout space adjacent to a regular layout shape to be reinforced, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the regular layout shape, is large enough to support placement of a sub-resolution shape. Upon determining that the unoccupied layout space is large enough to support placement of the sub-resolution shape, the sub-resolution shape is placed so as to be substantially centered upon a virtual line of the virtual grate within the unoccupied layout space. Also, one or more sub-resolution shapes are placed between and parallel with neighboring regular layout shapes when windows of lithographic reinforcement associated with each of the neighboring regular layout shapes permit. The sub-resolution shapes may be placed according to a virtual grate, or may be placed based on proximity to edges of the neighboring regular layout shapes.

Abstract: Within a dynamic array architecture, an irregular wire layout region within a portion of a chip level layout is bracketed by placing first and second regular wire layout shapes on a first and second sides, respectively, of the irregular wire layout region. One or more irregular wire layout shapes are placed within the irregular wire layout region. A first edge spacing is maintained between the first regular wire layout shape and a first outer irregular wire layout shape within the irregular wire layout region nearest to the first regular wire layout shape. A second edge spacing is maintained between the second regular wire layout shape and a second outer irregular wire layout shape within the irregular wire layout region nearest to the second regular wire layout shape. The first and second edge spacings are defined to optimize lithography of the regular and irregular wire layout shapes.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic printing machine has a drive system which includes a frame and first, second and third motor-and-gear-train configurations mounted thereon at a common location and respectively drivingly coupled to first, second and third combinations of multiple color developer drive assemblies, multiple color photoconductive drum drive assemblies, a black developer drive assembly and a black photoconductive drum drive assembly so as to operate the same. The first and second configurations are operable at first and second motor gear mesh frequencies that are different and the third configuration is operable at a motor gear mesh frequency that can be substantially the same as one of the first and second motor gear mesh frequencies.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods to control access to an interior of an image forming device. The image forming device may include a body with a door that is movable between open and closed positions. In the open position, access is gained to an interior of the body. A controller controls a latch through a motor arrangement to lock and unlock the door. A user interface may be positioned on an exterior of the body to allow a user to enter commands to lock and unlock the door. Additional elements may also be included within the interior of the image forming device and operated with the motor arrangement.

Abstract: The application includes various embodiments of devices and methods for mounting a motor within an image forming apparatus. The motor is mounted on a frame and positioned to engage and drive a component within the image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the component is an imaging unit. The frame includes an opening to receive the motor. A locating member is attached to the frame and extends into the opening to contact the motor and provide accurate positioning for engagement with the component. The locating ring provides for a press fit with lower forces. Additional fasteners may fixedly connect the motor to the frame and maintain the accurate positioning provided by the locating member.

Abstract: An improved computer network security system and a personal identifier device used for controlling network with real time authentication of both a person's identity and presence at a computer workstation is provided. A new user is registered to a portable personal digital identifier device and, within the portable personal digital identifier device, an input biometric of the user is received and a master template is derived therefrom and securely maintained in storage. A private key and public key encryption system is utilized to authenticate a user registered to the portable personal digital identifier device. The personal digital identifier device verifies the origin of a digitally signed challenge message from the network security manager component. A digitally and biometrically signed challenge response message is produced and transmitted by the personal digital identifier device in response to the verified challenge message.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a feed forward circuit that reduces delay through an inverting circuit. The feed forward circuit includes an inverter having an input and an output, and an inverting circuit having an input and an output. The input of the inverting circuit is coupled to the output of the inverter. A feed forward transistor having a gate coupled to the input of the inverter and a terminal coupled to the output of the inverting circuit also is included. In operation the feed forward transistor decreases the amount of time required for the output of the inverting circuit to change state. In sum, the invention reduces the delay when the inverting circuit transitions to a high state, without affecting the timing of the transition to a low state.

Abstract: A pole reinforcement truss has an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by opposite side flanges that diverge with respect to one another as they extend from respective opposite side edges of the truss body. In a preferred cross-sectional configuration, five curved bends of equal obtuse angle and radius of curvature are used to define the side flanges, a pair of bridge portions, and a pair of apex portions in symmetrical arrangement. The truss maintains its geometry in an improved manner after the onset of yielding, thereby increasing ultimate strength of the pole-truss assembly.

Abstract: A pole reinforcement truss has an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by opposite side flanges that diverge with respect to one another as they extend from respective opposite side edges of the truss body. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional configuration has an intermediate curved bend through an excluded bend angle and a pair of curved bridge bends on opposite sides of the intermediate curved bend each through an included bend angle, wherein all three curved bends have the same radius of curvature. The truss maintains its geometry in an improved manner after the onset of yielding, thereby increasing ultimate strength of the pole-truss assembly.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for protecting an input buffer. A current from a p-supply to an input buffer is lowered when an input voltage to the input buffer is tolerant HIGH. The p-supply being a VDD voltage supplied to a p-channel transistor in the input buffer. In addition, the p-supply is set to a particular voltage when the input voltage to the input buffer is LOW, the particular voltage being at a specific value such that input transistors within the input buffer do not experience overstress voltages. Optionally, p-supply can be prevented from supplying current to the input buffer when an input voltage to the input buffer is tolerant HIGH.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a feed forward circuit that reduces delay through an inverting circuit. The feed forward circuit includes an inverter having an input and an output, and an inverting circuit having an input and an output. The input of the inverting circuit is coupled to the output of the inverter. A feed forward transistor having a gate coupled to the input of the inverter and a terminal coupled to the output of the inverting circuit also is included. In operation the feed forward transistor decreases the amount of time required for the output of the inverting circuit to change state. In sum, the invention reduces the delay when the inverting circuit transitions to a high state, without affecting the timing of the transition to a low state.

Abstract: An optical apparatus. More particularly, a laser sensitometer. The apparatus comprises: a polarized light source adapted to provide a Gaussian beam of light directed along an optical axis; a rotatable polarizer disposed in the optical axis adapted to vary an intensity of the beam of light, the polarizer being rotatable about the optical axis; and a rotatable polygon disposed in the optical axis, the polygon being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for protecting an input buffer. A current from a p-supply to an input buffer is lowered when an input voltage to the input buffer is tolerant HIGH. The p-supply being a VDD voltage supplied to a p-channel transistor in the input buffer. In addition, the p-supply is set to a particular voltage when the input voltage to the input buffer is LOW, the particular voltage being at a specific value such that input transistors within the input buffer do not experience overstress voltages. Optionally, p-supply can be prevented from supplying current to the input buffer when an input voltage to the input buffer is tolerant HIGH.

Abstract: An optical apparatus. More particularly, a laser sensitometer. The apparatus comprises: a polarized light source adapted to provide a Gaussian beam of light directed along an optical axis; a rotatable polarizer disposed in the optical axis adapted to vary an intensity of the beam of light, the polarizer being rotatable about the optical axis; and a rotatable polygon disposed in the optical axis, the polygon being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: An improved computer network security system and method, and a personal identifier device used for controlling network access, to provide real time authentication of both a person's identity and presence at a computer workstation. A new user is registered to a portable personal digital identifier device and, within the portable personal digital identifier device, an input biometric of the user is received and a master template is derived therefrom and securely maintained in storage. A private key is also generated and securely maintained in the storage and a public key corresponding to the private key is generated and provided for external storage (in the network). A public key corresponding to a private key associated with a network security manager component is also stored in the device storage.