Abstract: A method and system scan an item having at least one color feature using an in-line spectrophotometer of a printing apparatus. The scanning identifies at least one “item color” within the color feature. The item color is stored as at least one custom target color in a computer-readable storage medium of the printing apparatus. The custom target color can be stored with the print job for future reference. At least one print job is processed through a printing engine of the printing apparatus to output at least one printed sheet. During the processing of the print job, the printed sheet is scanned with the in-line spectrophotometer to identify at least one printed color on the printed sheet and the printed color is compared to the custom target color to identify any color difference. The printing characteristics of the printing apparatus are adjusted to reduce the color difference.

Abstract: A diagnostic system made part of or for use with a document handling device in which a customer is guided toward performance of at least one comparison means in a diagnostic routine analysis. The comparison means is selected from a group comprising (1) a first comparison comparing a fused print media and an unfused print media for presence of a defect, (2) a second comparison comparing an output print media and at least one image on a screen for a type of defect, and (3) a third comparison comparing a low-charged print media and a no-charged print media for qualities of the defect. The customer enters a selection based on results of the first, the second, or the third comparisons. The diagnostic system can identify a part causing a defect in the print media based on results of the comparisons.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate permitting a high-speed marking system or printer to run at maximum speed without being impeded by a relatively slow, low-speed finisher. A plurality of low-speed finishers are coupled to the high-speed marking system in a tandem, and optionally parallel-tandem, arrangement, where the number of finishers is equal to or greater than the ration of the maximum operating speed of the marking system to individual finisher maximum operating speed. In this manner, a low-cost solution is provided to overcome bottleneck problems associated with low-speed finishers.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (1200) that disk stacks and compiles media sheets. The apparatus can include a media sheet transport (120) configured to transport media sheets and a stacker (130) configured to stack the media sheets (110). The apparatus can include a rotatable disk (140) coupled to the media transport, the rotatable disk configured to receive a leading edge (112) of a media sheet and configured to transport the media sheet to the stacker. The apparatus can include a compiler (150) configured to compile a set of a plurality of the media sheets and an ejector (160) configured to eject the set of a plurality of the media sheets from the compiler onto the stacker. One of the rotatable disk and at least a portion of the compiler can be movable (171) relative to each other to switch between the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the stacker and the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the compiler.

Abstract: A method and system scan an item having at least one color feature using an in-line spectrophotometer of a printing apparatus. The scanning identifies at least one “item color” within the color feature. The item color is stored as at least one custom target color in a computer-readable storage medium of the printing apparatus. The custom target color can be stored with the print job for future reference. At least one print job is processed through a printing engine of the printing apparatus to output at least one printed sheet. During the processing of the print job, the printed sheet is scanned with the in-line spectrophotometer to identify at least one printed color on the printed sheet and the printed color is compared to the custom target color to identify any color difference. The printing characteristics of the printing apparatus are adjusted to reduce the color difference.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (1200) that disk stacks and compiles media sheets. The apparatus can include a media sheet transport (120) configured to transport media sheets and a stacker (130) configured to stack the media sheets (110). The apparatus can include a rotatable disk (140) coupled to the media transport, the rotatable disk configured to receive a leading edge (112) of a media sheet and configured to transport the media sheet to the stacker. The apparatus can include a compiler (150) configured to compile a set of a plurality of the media sheets and an ejector (160) configured to eject the set of a plurality of the media sheets from the compiler onto the stacker. One of the rotatable disk and at least a portion of the compiler can be movable (171) relative to each other to switch between the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the stacker and the rotatable disk providing media sheets to the compiler.

Abstract: A disk type apparatus is provided for handling sheets of material. The apparatus has a first path for receiving first ones of the sheets from an input highway, a second path for receiving second ones of the sheets from the input highway; and a compiling disk capable of simultaneously receiving the first and second ones of the sheets from the first and second paths. The first and second paths have a common input end, and the first and second paths have a common output end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate permitting a high-speed marking system or printer to run at maximum speed without being impeded by a relatively slow, low-speed finisher. A plurality of low-speed finishers are coupled to the high-speed marking system in a tandem, and optionally parallel-tandem, arrangement, where the number of finishers is equal to or greater than the ration of the maximum operating speed of the marking system to individual finisher maximum operating speed. In this manner, a low-cost solution is provided to overcome bottleneck problems associated with low-speed finishers.

Abstract: A diagnostic system made part of or for use with a document handling device in which a customer is guided toward performance of at least one comparison means in a diagnostic routine analysis. The comparison means is selected from a group comprising (1) a first comparison comparing a fused print media and an unfused print media for presence of a defect, (2) a second comparison comparing an output print media and at least one image on a screen for a type of defect, and (3) a third comparison comparing a low-charged print media and a no-charged print media for qualities of the defect. The customer enters a selection based on results of the first, the second, or the third comparisons. The diagnostic system can identify a part causing a defect in the print media based on results of the comparisons.

Abstract: In a printing system having multiple document finishing assemblies, it is sometimes necessary to purge the system of print media which, as a result of a jam or other operational malfunction, remain within the printing system in an unfinished, unprinted, or otherwise undesirable condition. These “purge sheets” can be delivered to a separate purge tray provided at each document finishing assembly. A printing system having numerous document finishing assemblies will typically have a corresponding number of purge trays which must be cleared individually by an operator, which is inefficient and burdensome. The present disclosure provides a printing system and method which, in the event of a jam, consolidates purge sheets into a minimal number of purge trays. By minimizing the number of purge trays which must be cleared by an operator, efficiency gains and productivity increases can be realized.

Abstract: A method for enabling a printing machine having a customer billing interface to bill the customer for marking jobs having different sheet sizes includes programming different rates for different size sheets into the printing machine. With receipt of a machine enable signal from the customer billing interface, a sheet is fed and the printing machine determines the sheet size. After the printing machine performs a marking operation, the printing machine emits a signal for each sheet marked to the customer billing interface.

Abstract: A method for enabling a printing machine having a customer billing interface to bill the customer for marking jobs having different sheet sizes includes programming different rates for different size sheets into the printing machine. With receipt of a machine enable signal from the customer billing interface, a sheet is fed and the printing machine determines the sheet size. After the printing machine performs a marking operation, the printing machine emits a signal for each sheet marked to the customer billing interface.

Abstract: In a multifunction digital printing apparatus, such as a copier-printer, image data from print jobs are intermingled with image data from copy jobs, such as originating from a digital scanner. Further, scanner-only functions such as electronic filing and sending facsimiles can be performed without need for printing hardware. An auditing device can decrement a user's account on a per-sheet basis regardless of whether a requested job requires the use of the scanner or printing hardware or both.