Abstract: An apparatus for reducing registration errors in a media handling device. The apparatus including an image-bearing member having sheets individually pass across the image-bearing member. Each sheet pass corresponds to one of a series of iterations between the image-bearing member and the sheets. The image-bearing member is operatively coupled to a controller for regulation motion of the image-bearing member. The controller receives input signals representing at least one measured disturbance. Each disturbance being defined by a pattern of image-bearing member movement away from and substantially returning to a reference state of motion. A repetition of the pattern being coincident with at least one of the iterations, wherein based on the measured disturbance, the reference state and an indication associated with when the pattern will repeat, a modified signal is generated for the actuator to adjust the image-bearing member motion in coordination with the indication.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, a system, a printmaking device, and a method for pre-curling and registering media are provided herein. The system includes a media curler system and a deskew mechanism. The media curler system pre-curls at least one of lead edge and a trail edge of a sheet before delivery to a media hold-down transport. The deskew mechanism is coupled to the media curler system for pivoting the media curler system about a pivot axis to deskew the sheet. The pivot axis extends perpendicular to the media transport path. In operation, as the lead edge enters the pre-curling and registration system, the media curler system pre-curls the sheet towards the media hold-down transport. As the sheet is being pre-curled, the deskew mechanism pivots the media curler system about the pivot axis to correct any skew errors in the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing registration errors in a media handling device. The apparatus including an image-bearing member having sheets individually pass across the image-bearing member. Each sheet pass corresponds to one of a series of iterations between the image-bearing member and the sheets. The image-bearing member is operatively coupled to a controller for regulation motion of the image-bearing member. The controller receives input signals representing at least one measured disturbance. Each disturbance being defined by a pattern of image-bearing member movement away from and substantially returning to a reference state of motion. A repetition of the pattern being coincident with at least one of the iterations, wherein based on the measured disturbance, the reference state and an indication associated with when the pattern will repeat, a modified signal is generated for the actuator to adjust the image-bearing member motion in coordination with the indication.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing registration errors in a media handling device. The apparatus including an image-bearing member having sheets individually pass across the image-bearing member. Each sheet pass corresponds to one of a series of iterations between the image-bearing member and the sheets. The image-bearing member is operatively coupled to a controller for regulation motion of the image-bearing member. The controller receives input signals representing at least one measured disturbance. Each disturbance being defined by a pattern of image-bearing member movement away from and substantially returning to a reference state of motion. A repetition of the pattern being coincident with at least one of the iterations, wherein based on the measured disturbance, the reference state and an indication associated with when the pattern will repeat, a modified signal is generated for the actuator to adjust the image-bearing member motion in coordination with the indication.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for creating a simulator for a crowdsourcing platform. The method includes generating a plurality of rules indicative of at least one of a behavior or an interaction, of one or more entities associated with the crowdsourcing platform, based on one or more parameters associated with each of the one or more entities. Thereafter, a first level of service of the crowdsourcing platform is estimated based on the generated plurality of rules. Further, the plurality of rules are modified based on the first level of service and an observed level of service of the crowdsourcing platform. The plurality of rules are modified such that a second level of service of the crowdsourcing platform, estimated based on the modified plurality of rules, approaches the observed level of service of the crowdsourcing platform. The modified plurality of rules corresponds to the simulator for the crowdsourcing platform.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, a system, a printmaking device, and a method for pre-curling and registering media are provided herein. The system includes a media curler system and a deskew mechanism. The media curler system pre-curls at least one of lead edge and a trail edge of a sheet before delivery to a media hold-down transport. The deskew mechanism is coupled to the media curler system for pivoting the media curler system about a pivot axis to deskew the sheet. The pivot axis extends perpendicular to the media transport path. In operation, as the lead edge enters the pre-curling and registration system, the media curler system pre-curls the sheet towards the media hold-down transport. As the sheet is being pre-curled, the deskew mechanism pivots the media curler system about the pivot axis to correct any skew errors in the sheet.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, a system, a printmaking device, and a method for pre-curling and registering media are provided herein. The system includes a media curler system and a deskew mechanism. The media curler system pre-curls at least one of lead edge and a trail edge of a sheet before delivery to a media hold-down transport. The deskew mechanism is coupled to the media curler system for pivoting the media curler system about a pivot axis to deskew the sheet. The pivot axis extends perpendicular to the media transport path. In operation, as the lead edge enters the pre-curling and registration system, the media curler system pre-curls the sheet towards the media hold-down transport. As the sheet is being pre-curled, the deskew mechanism pivots the media curler system about the pivot axis to correct any skew errors in the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing characteristics of the sheet with respect to the transport path. The characteristics of the sheet including a skew position, process direction position or a lateral position of the sheet. The registration nip assembly changing a first sheet characteristic to a first target characteristic by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary registration datum. A delivery registration datum disposed downstream of the registration nip assembly. The registration nip assembly changing a second sheet characteristic to a second target characteristic when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary registration datum and the delivery registration datum. The apparatus including an auxiliary nip assembly disposed between the delivery registration datum and the registration nip assembly, wherein the preliminary registration datum is disposed between the delivery registration datum and the auxiliary nip assembly.

Abstract: Registering a sheet in a differential drive registration system by identifying observed state values corresponding to a sheet handled by the differential drive registration system. The method also including determining an error vector, wherein the error vector is defined by a difference between the observed state values and reference state values for the sheet. Control input values are also determined based on the error vector, a set of control parameters, and the observed state values. The control input values being determined such that there is a linear differential relationship between the observed state values and the control input values. Additionally the method includes generating drive wheel velocities in the differential drive registration system based on the control input values. The identifying and determining steps being repeated for the sheet in a closed-loop process such that the observed state values substantially track the reference state values.

Abstract: An assembly includes two nip assemblies spaced apart along a first axis. Each nip assembly includes a driven wheel and an idler roller. The driven wheel rotatably supported about the first axis. The idler cooperates with the driven wheel to engage a sheet. The idler rotatably supported about a second axis. The second axis being selectively moveable relative to the first axis. The selective movement between a first and second orientation occurs while the sheet is moved along the transport path. In the first orientation the second axis extends parallel to the first axis. In the second orientation the second axis extends at an oblique angle to the first axis. The selective movement pivots about a third axis extending through a centerline common to both the driven wheel and the idler. The selective movement of one of the two nip assemblies being independent from the selective movement of the other.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, a system, a printmaking device, and a method for pre-curling and registering media are provided herein. The system includes a media curler system and a deskew mechanism. The media curler system pre-curls at least one of lead edge and a trail edge of a sheet before delivery to a media hold-down transport. The deskew mechanism is coupled to the media curler system for pivoting the media curler system about a pivot axis to deskew the sheet. The pivot axis extends perpendicular to the media transport path. In operation, as the lead edge enters the pre-curling and registration system, the media curler system pre-curls the sheet towards the media hold-down transport. As the sheet is being pre-curled, the deskew mechanism pivots the media curler system about the pivot axis to correct any skew errors in the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing registration errors in a media handling device. The apparatus including an image-bearing member having sheets individually pass across the image-bearing member. Each sheet pass corresponds to one of a series of iterations between the image-bearing member and the sheets. The image-bearing member is operatively coupled to a controller for regulation motion of the image-bearing member. The controller receives input signals representing at least one measured disturbance. Each disturbance being defined by a pattern of image-bearing member movement away from and substantially returning to a reference state of motion. A repetition of the pattern being coincident with at least one of the iterations, wherein based on the measured disturbance, the reference state and an indication associated with when the pattern will repeat, a modified signal is generated for the actuator to adjust the image-bearing member motion in coordination with the indication.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing characteristics of the sheet with respect to the transport path. The characteristics of the sheet including a skew position, process direction position or a lateral position of the sheet. The registration nip assembly changing a first sheet characteristic to a first target characteristic by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary registration datum. A delivery registration datum disposed downstream of the registration nip assembly. The registration nip assembly changing a second sheet characteristic to a second target characteristic when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary registration datum and the delivery registration datum. The apparatus including an auxiliary nip assembly disposed between the delivery registration datum and the registration nip assembly, wherein the preliminary registration datum is disposed between the delivery registration datum and the auxiliary nip assembly.

Abstract: An assembly including nip assemblies spaced apart from one another along a first axis extending in the lateral direction. Each nip assembly including a driven wheel and an idler roller. The driven wheel rotatably supported about the first axis and the idler roller cooperating with the driven wheel to engage the sheet there between. The idler roller rotatably supported about a second axis. The first or second axis being selectively moveable relative to the other of the first or second axis between a first and second orientation. In the first orientation, the second axis extending parallel to the first axis, and in the second orientation the second axis extending at an oblique angle to the first axis. The selective movement of the second axis pivoting about a third axis substantially extending through a centerline common to both the driven wheel and the idler roller of each nip assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering a sheet. The apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing a position and/or timing of the sheet. The apparatus also including a controller communicating a first signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a first sheet characteristic to a target characteristic. The first signal generated to impart the target characteristic to the sheet by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary datum. The preliminary datum disposed along the transport path between the sheet registration nip assembly and a delivery datum that is disposed downstream of the sheet registration nip assembly. The controller communicating a second signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a second sheet characteristic to the target characteristic. The second signal communicated when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary datum and the delivery datum.

Abstract: Registering a sheet in a differential drive registration system by identifying observed state values corresponding to a sheet handled by the differential drive registration system. The method also including determining an error vector, wherein the error vector is defined by a difference between the observed state values and reference state values for the sheet. Control input values are also determined based on the error vector, a set of control parameters, and the observed state values. The control input values being determined such that there is a linear differential relationship between the observed state values and the control input values. Additionally the method includes generating drive wheel velocities in the differential drive registration system based on the control input values. The identifying and determining steps being repeated for the sheet in a closed-loop process such that the observed state values substantially track the reference state values.

Abstract: A drive roll/idler roll nip release mechanism utilizes the motor used for the drive nip, coupled with one-way clutches, to power the nip release as a sheet is handed off to a downstream nip. A drive shaft is coupled to a first one-way clutch in one direction and an idler cam shaft is coupled to a second one-way clutch in the opposite direction. This allows the idler cam shaft to be driven only when the motor is reversed, and the drive shaft to be driven only when the motor is moving forward. The one-way clutch on the drive shaft allows the drive wheels to freewheel when the motor is reversed in order to engage the nip release. Thus, the nip release is activated while the drive nip continues to rotate in the direction of sheet motion.

Abstract: A drive roll/idler roll nip release mechanism utilizes the motor used for the drive nip, coupled with one-way clutches, to power the nip release as a sheet is handed off to a downstream nip. A drive shaft is coupled to a first one-way clutch in one direction and an idler cam shaft is coupled to a second one-way clutch in the opposite direction. This allows the idler cam shaft to be driven only when the motor is reversed, and the drive shaft to be driven only when the motor is moving forward. The one-way clutch on the drive shaft allows the drive wheels to freewheel when the motor is reversed in order to engage the nip release. Thus, the nip release is activated while the drive nip continues to rotate in the direction of sheet motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering a sheet. The apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing a position and/or timing of the sheet. The apparatus also including a controller communicating a first signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a first sheet characteristic to a target characteristic. The first signal generated to impart the target characteristic to the sheet by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary datum. The preliminary datum disposed along the transport path between the sheet registration nip assembly and a delivery datum that is disposed downstream of the sheet registration nip assembly. The controller communicating a second signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a second sheet characteristic to the target characteristic. The second signal communicated when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary datum and the delivery datum.

Abstract: An assembly including nip assemblies spaced apart from one another along a first axis extending in the lateral direction. Each nip assembly including a driven wheel and an idler roller. The driven wheel rotatably supported about the first axis and the idler roller cooperating with the driven wheel to engage the sheet there between. The idler roller rotatably supported about a second axis. The first or second axis being selectively moveable relative to the other of the first or second axis between a first and second orientation. In the first orientation, the second axis extending parallel to the first axis, and in the second orientation the second axis extending at an oblique angle to the first axis. The selective movement of the second axis pivoting about a third axis substantially extending through a centerline common to both the driven wheel and the idler roller of each nip assembly.