Patents by Inventor Michael B. Thomson

Michael B. Thomson 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: 7654524
    Abstract: This is a simple and effective multi-feed system for use in marking apparatus where the transport of paper or other media is vital. The system is independent of the weight or type of paper used as was not the case in the prior art. The present system employs the natural strength and thickness of the paper to separate one sheet from the other. This separation is used to trigger a detector alerting the system of a multi-feed of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael B Thomson
  • Patent number: 6687479
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a guide member for directing sheets toward a transfer zone. The guide member defines a set of ribs which hold the sheets above the main surface of the guide member. Thus, any stray marking material which lands on the guide member is relatively unlikely to contact a sheet moving over the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Leute, John W. D. Cooper, Ian Brailsford, Stan Alan Spencer, Roger D. Masham, Derek J. Milton, Robert G. Hall, Roderick A. Cooley, John M. Wysocky, Charles H. Tabb, Jorge A. Alvarez, Alexander C. Bisland, Peter A. Mayfield, Clifford W. Imes, IV, Peter J. M. Bloemen, Michael B. Thomson, Krzysztof J. Less, David G. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030223787
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a guide member for directing sheets toward a transfer zone. The guide member defines a set of ribs which hold the sheets above the main surface of the guide member. Thus, any stray marking material which lands on the guide member is relatively unlikely to contact a sheet moving over the guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Leute, John W. D. Cooper, Ian Brailsford, Stan Alan Spencer, Roger D. Masham, Derek J. Milton, Robert G. Hall, Roderick A. Cooley, John M. Wysocky, Charles H. Tabb, Jorge A. Alvarez, Alexander C. Bisland, Peter A. Mayfield, Clifford W. Imes, Peter J. M. Bloemen, Michael B. Thomson, Krzysztof J. Less, David G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6532351
    Abstract: In a printer or copier, a removable module, such as a marking material supply module or a marking device module, is provided with a non-volatile memory chip which retains information about the cumulative use of the module and other performance-related data. The non-volatile memory is accessed through a wireless interface, such as an RF loop or IR detector, which is also associated with the module. The memory can be accessed, through wireless means, either by the printer or copier itself or by an external device, and also while the memory is not installed in a printer or copier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Austin L. Richards, Michael B. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20020094207
    Abstract: In a printer or copier, a removable module, such as a marking material supply module or a marking device module, is provided with a non-volatile memory chip which retains information about the cumulative use of the module and other performance-related data. The non-volatile memory is accessed through a wireless interface, such as an RF loop or IR detector, which is also associated with the module. The memory can be accessed, through wireless means, either by the printer or copier itself or by an external device. The wireless interface can also be used to access a memory which is attached to part which moves within the printer or copier, such as a roller or drum, thus avoiding the use of wire harnesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Austin L. Richards, Michael B. Thomson
  • Patent number: 6351621
    Abstract: In a printer or copier, a removable module, such as a marking material supply module or a marking device module, is provided with a non-volatile memory chip which retains information about the cumulative use of the module and other performance-related data. The non-volatile memory is accessed through a wireless interface, such as an RF loop or IR detector, which is also associated with the module. The memory can be accessed, through wireless means, either by the printer or copier itself or by an external device. The wireless interface can also be used to access a memory which is attached to part which moves within the printer or copier, such as a roller or drum, thus avoiding the use of wire harnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Austin L. Richards, Michael B. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5273274
    Abstract: A sheet feeding and lateral registration system, including feed rollers (41, 42) for feeding sheets (50) in a process direction and registration apparatus (52, 53) for registering each sheet in a direction laterally of the process direction. The registration apparatus includes a shifting system (53) for laterally shifting a carriage (52) on which the feed rollers are mounted. A single edge sensor (57) is arranged to provide a signal on detecting the presence of a sheet, and a control controls the lateral shifting system in response to that signal. The control is operated such that if the sheet (50) is not detected by the sensor (57) on initial entry of the sheet into the feed rollers, then the shifting system (53) is activated to move the feed rollers laterally towards the sensor until the sheet is detected by the sensor, whereupon the lateral movement is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Thomson, Paul Theobald