Abstract: A scanner and process for detecting a scan lid open condition. The scan lid open condition is detected by aligning two scan bars with one another, illumining one of the scan bars with a predetermined illumining pattern and during the illumining, scanning the illumined scan bar with the other scan bar. The response of the scanning scan bar is compared with an expected response for the illumining pattern with the scan lid closed. If a positive comparison occurs, the scan lid is closed. If a negative comparison occurs, the scan lid is open.

Abstract: A print media feed system in a inkjet printer, the system has a media feed roll, a star wheel mounted opposing the roll, an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel, and a controller coupled to the biaser. The controller varies a magnitude, a direction or a magnitude and direction of a biasing force applied to the star wheel by the biaser. In one form, the biaser comprises a motor driven cam that varies the angular position of a pivotable lever having a star wheel rotatably attached on one end. In another form, a rack and pinion gear assembly is used to vary the biasing force with a star wheel rotatably attached to the rack. In a further form, a solenoid is used to vary the basing force applied to the lever or applied to a star wheel rotatably attached to the end of the shaft of a solenoid.

Abstract: A method of printing with an inkjet printer including a printhead, a star wheel located downstream from the printhead, and an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel. The method comprises analyzing print data to identify an area of printing to be printed on a sheet of print media that aligns with the star wheel; calculating the density of the printing in the identified area of printing; printing the identified area of printing; determining whether the calculated density exceeds a density criteria, and if so then using the adjustable biaser to lift the star wheel off of the sheet before the printed area of printing reaches the star wheel; advancing the printed area of printing past the star wheel; and using the adjustable biaser lowering the star wheel onto the sheet after the printed area of printing has advanced past the star wheel.

Abstract: A print media feed system in a inkjet printer, the system has a media feed roll, a star wheel mounted opposing the roll, an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel, and a controller coupled to the biaser. The controller varies a magnitude, a direction or a magnitude and direction of a biasing force applied to the star wheel by the biaser. In one form, the biaser comprises a motor driven cam that varies the angular position of a pivotable lever having a star wheel rotatably attached on one end. In another form, a rack and pinion gear assembly is used to vary the biasing force with a star wheel rotatably attached to the rack. In a further form, a solenoid is used to vary the basing force applied to the lever or applied to a star wheel rotatably attached to the end of the shaft of a solenoid.

Abstract: A method of printing with an inkjet printer including a printhead, a star wheel located downstream from the printhead, and an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel. The method comprises analyzing print data to identify an area of printing to be printed on a sheet of print media that aligns with the star wheel; calculating the density of the printing in the identified area of printing; printing the identified area of printing; determining whether the calculated density exceeds a density criteria, and if so then using the adjustable biaser to lift the star wheel off of the sheet before the printed area of printing reaches the star wheel; advancing the printed area of printing past the star wheel; and using the adjustable biaser lowering the star wheel onto the sheet after the printed area of printing has advanced past the star wheel.

Abstract: A scanner and process for detecting a scan lid open condition. The scan lid open condition is detected by aligning two scan bars with one another, illumining one of the scan bars with a predetermined illumining pattern and during the illumining, scanning the illumined scan bar with the other scan bar. The response of the scanning scan bar is compared with an expected response for the illumining pattern with the scan lid closed. If a positive comparison occurs, the scan lid is closed. If a negative comparison occurs, the scan lid is open.

Abstract: A method of optimized printing that includes accumulating a plurality of print jobs from at least one application, each of the plurality of print jobs containing print content; converting each of the plurality of print jobs to an image format; automatically arranging the print content of each of the converted print jobs, and printing at least a portion of a first converted print job of the plurality of print jobs and at least a portion of a second converted print job of the plurality of print jobs on a single media sheet.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correct positioning of a plurality of edge guides of a media source assembly. The system senses the proximity of documents with the plurality of edge guides by employing one or more sensors. Based on the sensed proximity, the one or more sensors provide notifications to the user through one or more indicators.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing system. A controller is communicatively coupled to the image capturing system. A scanner body has a scanner opening. The image capturing system is located adjacent the scanner opening. A document planar member is positioned across the scanner opening. The document planar member is communicatively coupled to the controller. The document planar member has an input operating state wherein the document planar member receives at least one input from a user input object and supplies the at least one input to the controller for further processing.

Abstract: An ink tank security system on a printer includes an ink tank connection station having a cavity with a passage for insertion of at least one ink tank through the passage into the cavity to supply ink for printing operations by the printer and for removal of the ink tank through the passage from the cavity for replenishing with ink. A door is mounted adjacent to the passage for undergoing movement between displaced positions enabling or blocking movement of the ink tank through the passage to or from the cavity. A sensor adjacent to the door is adapted to sense movement of the door between the displaced positions. A security device separate from the ink tank is insertable into and removable from a control slot on the printer under the door to control re-use of the ink tank for replenishing the supply of ink.

Abstract: An ink tank security system on a printer includes an ink tank connection station having a cavity with a passage for insertion of at least one ink tank through the passage into the cavity to supply ink for printing operations by the printer and for removal of the ink tank through the passage from the cavity for replenishing with ink. A door is mounted adjacent to the passage for undergoing movement between displaced positions enabling or blocking movement of the ink tank through the passage to or from the cavity. A sensor adjacent to the door is adapted to sense movement of the door between the displaced positions. A security device separate from the ink tank is insertable into and removable from a control slot on the printer under the door to control re-use of the ink tank for replenishing the supply of ink.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing system. A controller is communicatively coupled to the image capturing system. A scanner body has a scanner opening. The image capturing system is located adjacent the scanner opening. A document planar member is positioned across the scanner opening. The document planar member is communicatively coupled to the controller. The document planar member has a transparent state wherein the document planar member is clear and having a translucent state wherein the document planar member is translucent. The controller executes program instructions to control the document planar member to display scan operation related indicia formed by controlling a first portion of the document planar member to be in the transparent state and controlling a second portion of the document planar member to be in the translucent state.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a scan bar having a scanner head. A drive mechanism is drivably coupled to the scan bar. A controller is communicatively coupled to the scanner head and the drive mechanism. A scanner body has a cover defining a scanner opening in which a document glass is mounted. The scan bar is located below the cover. The scanner body has a home position opening separate from the scanner opening that passes through the cover. A scanner lid is pivotably coupled to the scanner body. The scanner lid has a home protrusion located for mating engagement with the home position opening of the scanner body when the scanner lid is closed to define a home position for the scanner head.

Abstract: A printing system including a substrate and a dual-mode printing device, the dual-mode printing device including a permanent writing source and a transient writing source, wherein the permanent writing source is adapted to deposit an imaging material onto the substrate and the transient writing source is adapted to develop an image on the substrate by applying a stimulus to the substrate.

Abstract: A resolution quality redefinition control system for a multi function scanner/printer controls a plurality of functions executable such as scanning, printing, copying and faxing. Multiple resolution qualities may be selected by a user for any of the functions through a user input in communication with the controller. A designated quality resolution may not be appropriate for a designated function, however. Some of the functions have an optimal resolution and/or a significant range of resolutions. When the designated quality resolution is not appropriate for a designated function, the controller re-defines the designated quality resolution as an execute resolution for each execution of one of the functions.

Abstract: A RFID linking device-based switchable sensor can be used to detect an unseated condition of one component with another component. The switchable sensor includes a RFID linking device, such as a RFID tag, with an electrical circuitry mountable on the one component and a switchable device incorporated with two portions of the electrical circuitry physically and electrically separated from one another such that the switchable device is exposed and normally in a first condition disabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively unavailable state. The switchable device is accessible from externally of the switchable sensor and thus switchable to a second condition, due to contact with an actuator element on the other component, enabling the RFID linking device to a communicatively available state in response to the one component being placed in the seated condition with the other component.

Abstract: Printer (1) is provided with a mode to edit and print forms without reference to or interruption of a host computer and with immediate printing of one or more of the forms. Page data for the forms is preferably stored in flash memory (21) in a high level printer language. Preferably, at initiation of the forms mode at least the first listed document is immediately prepared by the control data processor (17) of the printer in bit mapped form for printing. Documents can be listed on the control panel by name for ready selection for printing.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and system for improving the output quality of an image forming device. The method includes comparing an amount of speckle present in the images with a predefined amount of speckle. Thereafter, it is evaluated whether an adjustment of an angle of inclination of an image capture assembly in the image forming device is required for improving the output quality of the images. Accordingly, the height of one or more spacers of a spacer assembly may be altered for inclining the image capture assembly with respect to a transparent surface on which an object to be scanned by the image forming device is placed. The height of the spacer assembly may be adjustable by a user or pre-set to an optimum level for reducing the speckle to a value less than or equal to the predefined amount of speckle.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correct positioning of a plurality of edge guides of a media source assembly. The system senses the proximity of documents with the plurality of edge guides by employing one or more sensors. Based on the sensed proximity, the one or more sensors provide notifications to the user through one or more indicators.

Abstract: An ink tank security system on a printer includes an ink tank connection station having a cavity with a passage for insertion of at least one ink tank through the passage into the cavity to supply ink for printing operations by the printer and for removal of the ink tank through the passage from the cavity for replenishing with ink. A door is mounted adjacent to the passage for undergoing movement between displaced positions enabling or blocking movement of the ink tank through the passage to or from the cavity. A sensor adjacent to the door is adapted to sense movement of the door between the displaced positions. A security device separate from the ink tank is insertable into and removable from a control slot on the printer under the door to control re-use of the ink tank for replenishing the supply of ink.