Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Rhoads

Christopher E. Rhoads 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).

  • Patent number: 10001732
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including determining a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined temperature that is less than a fusing temperature for performing a fusing operation; calculating a set point heater resistance based on the determined heater resistance, the set point heater resistance being a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined set point temperature; reading a line voltage to the electrophotographic imaging device at a first time; calculating heater power based on the line voltage reading and the calculated set point heater resistance; and controlling a speed of a fusing operation based on the calculated heater power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jichang Cao, Christopher E. Rhoads, John P. Richey, David Anthony Schneider, Daniel Steinberg
  • Publication number: 20170192379
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including determining a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined temperature that is less than a fusing temperature for performing a fusing operation; calculating a set point heater resistance based on the determined heater resistance, the set point heater resistance being a resistance of the fuser heater at a predetermined set point temperature; reading a line voltage to the electrophotographic imaging device at a first time; calculating heater power based on the line voltage reading and the calculated set point heater resistance; and controlling a speed of a fusing operation based on the calculated heater power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jichang Cao, Christopher E. Rhoads, John P. Richey, David Anthony Schneider, Daniel Steinberg
  • Patent number: 9639038
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including initiating reading line current and line voltage for a plurality of consecutive AC cycles; from the AC cycle readings, identifying heater on cycles in which power is applied to the fuser heater and heater off cycles in which power is not applied to the fuser heater; calculating heater power from the identified heater on cycles and the heater off cycles, the heater power being the power of the fuser heater during a predetermined heater on cycle of the consecutive AC cycles; calculating a fuser heater voltage of the fuser heater during the predetermined heater on cycle based on the voltage readings; calculating a resistance of the fuser heater based on the calculated heater power and the calculated fuser heater voltage; and controlling the fuser assembly based upon the calculated resistance of the fuser heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jichang Cao, Christopher E. Rhoads, John P. Richey, David Anthony Schneider, Daniel Steinberg
  • Patent number: 7396009
    Abstract: Methods and devices for moving a media sheet along a media path from an input area to a toner transfer area. One method comprises initially determining that the media sheet is to be moved from the input area. After making the determination, the media path is detected to ensure it is capable of moving the media sheet. If the media path is available, the media sheet is picked and moved along the path. If the media path is not available, the media sheet remains in the input area until the path is available. When required to wait for the path, an amount of delay is determined. Once the path is available, the delayed media sheet is picked from the input area and then accelerated to compensate for the delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Lester Elliott, Benjamin C. DeVore, Christopher E. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 7377508
    Abstract: A pick mechanism, having a clutch mechanism, for picking media sheets from an input tray and introducing them into a paper path of an image forming apparatus. The clutch mechanism comprises a plurality of balls positioned between an inner race and an outer race. Angular backlash between the inner race and the outer race may result in variations in the timing of the media sheets. An algorithm is further included to estimate the pick timing of the media sheets. The algorithm calculates an estimated pick time for a subsequent media sheet that incorporates the known engagement variations of the ball clutch pick mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Rhoads, John Spicer, Darin M. Gettelfinger, Scott S. Williams, Michael W. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20040245701
    Abstract: A pick mechanism, having a clutch mechanism, for picking media sheets from an input tray and introducing them into a paper path of an image forming apparatus. The clutch mechanism comprises a plurality of balls positioned between an inner race and an outer race. Angular backlash between the inner race and the outer race may result in variations in the timing of the media sheets. An algorithm is further included to estimate the pick timing of the media sheets. The algorithm calculates an estimated pick time for a subsequent media sheet that incorporates the known engagement variations of the ball clutch pick mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher E. Rhoads, John Spicer, Darin M. Gettelfinger, Scott S. Williams, Michael W. Lawrence