Abstract: A printer calibration system and method enables images to be properly aligned over a printable medium in printing systems that use (i) one or more non-ideally shaped image transfer elements and/or (ii) when the one or more image transfer elements behave eccentrically. The systems and methods greatly improve color plane registration and correct for repetitive alignment problems associated with image transfer elements. Non-circularity imperfections associated with image transfer elements are determined. Then the image transfer elements are moved at a non-constant angular velocity to compensate for the circular imperfections.

Abstract: A system for varying the amount of thermal energy transmitted to print media in a printing device having a fuser with a pressure roller and a heated drive roller biased against the pressure roller includes a first idler roller, having a location which is variable relative to a print path of print media traveling through the printing device, and a thermally conductive belt, disposed around the drive roller and the first idler roller. Thermal energy transferred to the print media traveling along the print path is varied by changing the location of the first idler roller relative to the print path.

Abstract: A system for varying the amount of thermal energy transmitted to print media in a printing device having a fuser comprising a pressure roller and a heated drive roller biased against the pressure roller. The system comprises a first idler roller, having a location which is variable relative to a print path of print media traveling through the printing device, and a thermally conductive belt, disposed around the drive roller and the first idler roller. Thermal energy transferred to the print media traveling along the print path is varied by changing the location of the first idler roller relative to the print path.

Abstract: A method of varying gloss in hard copy output from a hard copy output engine includes providing a user with a user-adjustable control for varying hard copy output gloss and varying at least one processing parameter in producing the hard copy output in response to user adjustment of the user-adjustable control to provide a first user-selected gloss level over a first portion of a page of hard copy output.

Abstract: During the printing process, print skew can result from skewed delivery of paper or other sheet media to the print engine or print cartridge. Skew can include a left-right translation component and a rotational component. For example, the leading left comer may be translated to the right and the document rotated counterclockwise about that comer. To solve this problem, a sensor array identifies the left-right translation of a leading comer of the print media, and determines a degree of rotation of the print media about that comer by measuring the leading edge. Using this information, an algorithm maps the print information to compensate for the skew. The mapped print information results in resampled print information, as indicated by the print media's translation and rotation. Accordingly, the print engine prints text and other print images that are not skewed with respect to the print media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus in accordance with the instant invention include device for focusing color plane registration of an imaging device in a localized zone, or area, of a printed page. The localized zone is selected by the user to correspond to the location of at least a portion of an image that requires high-definition image quality. The instant invention discloses apparatus having this capability as well as methods for accomplishing this result, including methods for identifying the localized zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for fusing toner to a print medium. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a laser source optically coupled to a predefined position in a print medium pathway. A laser beam generated by the laser source is directed to fall upon the print medium shuttled along the print medium pathway. Finally, a laser controller is coupled to the laser source to control the laser beam to generate a predefined fusing exposure of the laser beam on the print medium.

Abstract: A method and system to regulate the sheet transport speed in a sheet handling device. Sheets are transported at a transport speed governed by an assigned signal. The actual transport speed of the sheets is determined and the assigned signal is adjusted to make the actual transport speed match a desired transport speed.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a face down orientation of printed media at a normally face up output of a printer. One technique achieves correct order orientation in a printer having a duplexing function, and includes printing a page of the print job at a print area, passing the page through a duplexing media path to reorient the page in a page down orientation, passing the page through the print area in the page down orientation without conducting a printing operation, and passing the page from the print area to an output area in correct order orientation.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a face down orientation of printed media at a normally face up output of a printer. One technique achieves correct-order orientation in a printer having a duplexing function, and includes printing a page of the print job at a print area, passing the page through a duplexing media path to reorient the page in a page down orientation, passing the page through the print area in the page down orientation without conducting a printing operation, and passing the page from the print area to an output area in correct order orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for fusing toner to a print medium. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a laser source optically coupled to a predefined position in a print medium pathway. A laser beam generated by the laser source is directed to fall upon the print medium shuttled along the print medium pathway. Finally, a laser controller is coupled to the laser source to control the laser beam to generate a predefined fusing exposure of the laser beam on the print medium.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a face down orientation of printed media at a normally face up output of a printer. One technique achieves correct order orientation in a printer having a duplexing function, and includes printing a page of the print job at a print area, passing the page through a duplexing media path to reorient the page in a page down orientation, passing the page through the print area in the page down orientation without conducting a printing operation, and passing the page from the print area to an output area in correct order orientation.

Abstract: A sheet material transfer guide is described in the context of a sheet material handling system including a first sheet material processing device and a second sheet material processing device. The transfer guide includes an outfeed mechanism on the first sheet material processing device, and an infeed mechanism on the second sheet material processing device adapted to receive sheet material from the outfeed mechanism on the first sheet material processing device. An angularly adjustable guide mechanism is secured between the infeed mechanism of the first sheet material processing device and the outfeed mechanism of the second sheet material processing device. The guide mechanism can include a ramp member pivotably mounted on a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly can be provided as a pivot member secured to the ramp member, with a pair of pivot member support assemblies mounted adjacent to respective opposite sides of the ramp member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to media handling devices and media handling methods. One aspect of the invention provides a media handling method including providing a media handling device having an initial media path; selectively moving a guide member using a motor intermediate a first position where the guide member is spaced from media within the initial media path and a second position where the guide member contacts the media within the initial media path; applying a control signal to the motor to control the moving; and modulating the control signal.

Abstract: A discharge tray for a sheet material handling device such as a printer includes multiple stapler mechanisms. The multiple stapler mechanisms are positioned along an edge of a discharge tray so that, by selectively engaging the stapler mechanisms, a desired staple pattern is established according to the nature of an assembled document and according to sheet sizes of the sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet material feed roller assembly including a feed roller mounted for contact with a stack of sheet material is disclosed. A variable load motor is provided that is adapted and constructed to cause the feed roller to apply a variable normal force to a top sheet of the stack of sheet material. A force transfer linkage is mounted between the feed roller and the torque load motor. The force transfer linkage is adapted and constructed to transfer force from the torque load motor to the feed roller. The transfer linkage can be provided as an elongate arm member including a first end upon which the feed roller is mounted, and a second, opposite end upon which the load motor is mounted. In an embodiment, the elongate arm member has a length of approximately 60 mm. A computer-controlled variable power source can be connected to the load motor, and an encoder can be connected between the power source and the motor. The motor can be provided as a stepper motor or a DC motor.

Abstract: A sheet material feed mechanism including a sheet material transport mechanism mounted for contact with a stack of sheet material is disclosed. A force application mechanism is adapted and constructed to apply a variable normal force to the stack of sheet material through the sheet material transport mechanism. A displacable force detection assembly is mounted between the sheet material transport mechanism and the force application mechanism. Displacement of the force detection assembly corresponds to a normal force applied to the stack of sheet material through the sheet material transport mechanism. The sheet material transport mechanism can be provided as a feed roller assembly. The feed roller assembly can include a driven roller in contact with the stack of sheet material. A drive roller can be operatively connected to the driven roller and the force application mechanism. The force detection assembly can be provided as a motion-sensing device.

Abstract: In a device that ejects one or more sheets of media to a moveable, remote output storage location, a method and apparatus for improving output stack quality is described. An invented stack holder holds previously-ejected sheets in place, so that the ejection of a newly-accumulated job does not cause misalignment of the stack by pushing the paper that it contacts during its movement. The preferred stack holder(s) each have an arm that extends down from a part of an accumulator and have a friction pad or area near its end. The system logic causes the stack tray to move up until the top of the output stack is sensed to be at a location that means it is abutting against the stack holder(s). In this position, the stack holder(s) place enough downward pressure on the top sheets of the output stack to hold the top sheets in place while an accumulated job is rejected onto the output stack.

Abstract: A gear wheel assembly is provided in a sheet material feed mechanism. The gear wheel assembly includes an annular cylindrical gear wheel having an interior surface defining an interior diameter, with a plurality of gear teeth extending from the interior surface. A pinion is mounted for rotation within the gear wheel. The pinion includes an exterior surface defining an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the pinion being less than the inner diameter of the gear wheel. A plurality of gear teeth extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the pinion. The pinion gear teeth have arcuate contact edges adapted to drivingly engage with gear teeth of the gear wheel. The contact edges of the pinion gear teeth can be provided with tapering radii of curvature, preferably tapering outwardly from the respective centers of the gear teeth. In an embodiment, the contact edges of the pinion gear teeth taper from 45 mm at the center to 25 mm at each edge.

Abstract: A media retaining and registration apparatus retains and aligns media by pulling the media to a registration location rather than pushing the media to registration in preparation for finish processing of the media, including stapling, hole punching, binding or the like. The apparatus includes a holding bed adapted to receive media thereon; a registration wall disposed adjacent the holding bed for providing an alignment reference area for the media on the holding bed; at least one finger movably disposed adjacent the registration wall; and, means for moving the at least one finger such that contact is made with a surface of the media in the holding bed for pulling and positioning the media adjacent the registration wall. The finger is disposed on a rotatable shaft adjacent the registration wall, and is configured to contact and retain the media in the holding bed and also pull the media in the holding bed to the registration wall as the shaft is rotated.