Patents by Inventor Charles Brandon Langrel

Charles Brandon Langrel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200361731
    Abstract: A paper feed system for use in a printing apparatus that detects multi-feeds and separates all sheets while allowing a single sheet to continue is disclosed. The separation system uses a motor for the separator roller that can be torque controlled, allowing varying torques depending on media type and/or user input. The separation system can also detect multi-feeds, correct them, and ultimately feed one sheet at a time through the automatic document feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Brandon Christopher Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20200361732
    Abstract: A method for operating a paper feed system for use in a printing apparatus that detects multi-feeds and separates all sheets while allowing a single sheet to continue is disclosed. The separation method controls a motor for the separator roller that can be torque controlled, allowing varying torques depending on media type and/or user input. The separation method detects multi-feeds, correct the multi-feed, and ultimately feeds one sheet at a time through the automatic document feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Brandon Christopher Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9270837
    Abstract: A system for calibrating a scan module of an automatic document feed (ADF) scanner. The system includes a rotatable frame disposed on a position opposite to an imaging surface of the ADF scanner. An image backer and a calibration surface portion formed along longitudinal portions of the frame extend substantially parallel to the imaging surface. The image backer and calibration surface portion have top surfaces of different reflectivity that respectively does not contact and contacts the imaging surface when the frame is rotated to position the image backer and the calibration surface portion in a field of view of the scan module. A drive mechanism coupled to the frame is controlled by a controller to rotate the frame and selectively position within the field of view of the image capture module the image backer during a scanning operation and the calibration surface portion during a calibration operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert McAlister Whitesell, Joshua Tyler Strow, Nicholas Stephen Lowell, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8422096
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a computer program product for dissipating heat produced in a scan head assembly of an imaging apparatus during scanning of media sheets in the imaging apparatus. The method includes determining at least one of a temperature of the scan head assembly and a media sheet scan count. The method further includes moving the scan head assembly between a first position of the scan head assembly and a second position of the scan head assembly for dissipating heat, based on at least one of the temperature of the scan head assembly and the media sheet scan count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8405889
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an automatic document feeder having a media feeding section, a media collecting section and a media conveying path extending from the media feeding section to the media collecting section. The imaging apparatus includes a scan head adjacent to the automatic document feeder. The scan head is moveable to a raised position aligned with a portion of the media conveying path for scanning a media sheet in the portion of the media conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8228571
    Abstract: Method and image scanning apparatus comprising an image capture unit having an illumination assembly for generating input light; a printed circuit board mounted to the image capture unit, a cooling unit generating an airflow which cools the illumination assembly of the image capture unit as well as the critical components mounted on the printed circuit board and the optical components of the image capture unit; and an adjustable baffle member moveably mounted to the frame of the image scanning apparatus for controlling the path of the airflow relative to the lamp. The cooling unit comprises at least one fan with the fan generating airflow for cooling the lamp of image capture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomas Beegle, Chengwu Cui, Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel, Joshua Tyler Strow
  • Patent number: 8159732
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of use for adjusting a sliding guide rod for an imaging device of a flatbed scanner to improve scanner skew misalignment comprising an attachment member movably mounting the sliding guide rod at one end thereof to one side of the flatbed scanner so as to allow skew-adjusting movement of the sliding guide rod at an opposite end thereof relative to the flatbed scanner and a skew adjustment assembly attached to an opposite side of the flatbed scanner and movably coupling and supporting the opposite end of the sliding guide rod to the opposite side of the flatbed scanner and being actuatable to cause the sliding guide rod to undergo skew adjustment relative to the flatbed scanner to correct scanner skew misalignment of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8089663
    Abstract: A detachable transparent plate for a scan head assembly in a document scanning system that allows an operator to detach the transparent plate from the scan head assembly located above a media feed path to clean a top face of the transparent plate and easily reattach it to the scan head assembly. The scan head assembly has an optical system and a sealing member detachably mounted to a bottom end of the optical system. The transparent plate is received and supported by the sealing member and defines a portion of a bottom surface of the sealing member. The sealing member is detachable from the bottom end of the optical system to allow an operator access to the top face of the transparent plate of the sealing member for cleaning the top face of the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8072657
    Abstract: It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a scanning device that includes a first imaging device adapted to convert contents of a first surface of a medium to a digital representation of the contents of the first surface of the medium, a scanning path adapted to guide the medium adjacent to the first imaging device, a first output path for guiding the medium to a first output tray, the first output path connected to the scanning path, a second output path for guiding the medium to a second output tray, the second output path connected to the scanning path, and a diverter guide adapted to direct the medium from the scanning path to one of the first output path and the second output path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Allen Wayne Waugerman, Stephen Ray Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110292473
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an automatic document feeder having a media feeding section, a media collecting section and a media conveying path extending from the media feeding section to the media collecting section. The imaging apparatus includes a scan head adjacent to the automatic document feeder. The scan head is moveable to a raised position aligned with a portion of the media conveying path for scanning a media sheet in the portion of the media conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 8002262
    Abstract: A method for applying a pick retry using a modified pick roller force includes operating an actuator in a first duty cycle to cause a pick roller to impose a first force on a media stack ordinarily sufficient to pick and feed a top sheet from the media stack to a media path, sensing whether or not the sheet arrives in the media path, and retrying the actuator in a second duty cycle different than the first duty cycle to cause the pick roller to impose a second force on the media stack different from the first force in response to not sensing the arrival of the sheet in the media path. The second force may be greater than the first force. The second duty cycle may be longer than the first duty cycle. Also, the method includes rotating the pick roller concurrently with or subsequently to operating the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Patent number: 7913992
    Abstract: The present application is directed to embodiments for moving a media sheet within a scanning device. The methods include moving the media sheet through a separation mechanism that prevents multiple media sheets from being moved simultaneously along the media path. Further, a buckle is formed in the sheet at a point upstream from a scanner. The buckle acts as a buffer to absorb any load release that could occur as the media sheet exits the separation mechanism. The load release could cause a change in the velocity of the media sheet as it moves across the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Chengwu Cui
  • Publication number: 20100149607
    Abstract: It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a scanning device that includes a first imaging device adapted to convert contents of a first surface of a medium to a digital representation of the contents of the first surface of the medium, a scanning path adapted to guide the medium adjacent to the first imaging device, a first output path for guiding the medium to a first output tray, the first output path connected to the scanning path, a second output path for guiding the medium to a second output tray, the second output path connected to the scanning path, and a diverter guide adapted to direct the medium from the scanning path to one of the first output path and the second output path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Allen Wayne Waugerman, Stephen Ray Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100142010
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a computer program product for dissipating heat produced in a scan head assembly of an imaging apparatus during scanning of media sheets in the imaging apparatus. The method includes determining at least one of a temperature of the scan head assembly and a media sheet scan count. The method further includes moving the scan head assembly between a first position of the scan head assembly and a second position of the scan head assembly for dissipating heat, based on at least one of the temperature of the scan head assembly and the media sheet scan count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Publication number: 20100142008
    Abstract: Method and image scanning apparatus comprising an image capture unit having an illumination assembly for generating input light; a printed circuit board mounted to the image capture unit, a cooling unit generating an airflow which cools the illumination assembly of the image capture unit as well as the critical components mounted on the printed circuit board and the optical components of the image capture unit; and an adjustable baffle member moveably mounted to the frame of the image scanning apparatus for controlling the path of the airflow relative to the lamp. The cooling unit comprises at least one fan with the fan generating airflow for cooling the lamp of image capture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: James Thomas Beegle, Chengwu Cui, Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel, Joshua Tyler Strow
  • Publication number: 20100133740
    Abstract: A method for applying a pick retry using a modified pick roller force includes operating an actuator in a first duty cycle to cause a pick roller to impose a first force on a media stack ordinarily sufficient to pick and feed a top sheet from the media stack to a media path, sensing whether or not the sheet arrives in the media path, and retrying the actuator in a second duty cycle different than the first duty cycle to cause the pick roller to impose a second force on the media stack different from the first force in response to not sensing the arrival of the sheet in the media path. The second force may be greater than the first force. The second duty cycle may be longer than the first duty cycle. Also, the method includes rotating the pick roller concurrently with or subsequently to operating the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Publication number: 20100110509
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of use for adjusting a sliding guide rod for an imaging device of a flatbed scanner to improve scanner skew misalignment comprising an attachment member movably mounting the sliding guide rod at one end thereof to one side of the flatbed scanner so as to allow skew-adjusting movement of the sliding guide rod at an opposite end thereof relative to the flatbed scanner and a skew adjustment assembly attached to an opposite side of the flatbed scanner and movably coupling and supporting the opposite end of the sliding guide rod to the opposite side of the flatbed scanner and being actuatable to cause the sliding guide rod to undergo skew adjustment relative to the flatbed scanner to correct scanner skew misalignment of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Chengwu Cui, Adam Christopher Kelty, Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Publication number: 20090273136
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a system and a computer program product for feeding a media sheet in a media processing device. The method includes receiving a user input associated with at least one attribute of the media sheet. Further, the method includes exerting a normal force on the media sheet using a pick roller for feeding the media sheet into the media processing device. The normal force exerted on the media sheet is based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Brandon Langrel
  • Publication number: 20090168125
    Abstract: A scanning device for simplex and duplex scanning. The device may include a scan head for capturing content appearing on a page; a substantially C-shaped first scan path for simplex scanning, the first scan path adapted to guide the page relative to the scan head for scanning a first side of the page; a second scan path for duplex scanning, the second scan path adapted to guide the page relative to the scan head for scanning a first side of the page and a second side of the page; a path diverter, the path diverter adapted to direct the page to the first path or the second path; and a controller for controlling the first and second scan paths and the diverter. The second scan path forms a loop for moving the first and second sides of the page so that each is temporarily disposed adjacent the scan head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen Wilson, Charles Brandon Langrel, Chengwu Cui
  • Publication number: 20090160122
    Abstract: The present application is directed to embodiments for moving a media sheet within a scanning device. The methods include moving the media sheet through a separation mechanism that prevents multiple media sheets from being moved simultaneously along the media path. Further, a buckle is formed in the sheet at a point upstream from a scanner. The buckle acts as a buffer to absorb any load release that could occur as the media sheet exits the separation mechanism. The load release could cause a change in the velocity of the media sheet as it moves across the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Brandon Langrel, Chengwu Cui