Abstract: According to exemplary scanning devices herein, a platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. The platen has a constant velocity transport (CVT) scanning position at an end of the platen. A portion of the platen, located at the CVT scanning position of the platen has integral transparent electrodes and incorporates a polymer/liquid crystal filler material that is white in a first state and transparent in a second state. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the platen. A controller is electrically connected to the electrodes. The controller controls the state of the polymer/liquid crystal filler material during scanning of a document and during white calibration of the scanner.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus and method for calibrating an optical module of a document scanning device. In one embodiment, imaging sensors of an optical module of the scanning device are used to obtain an image scan of a calibration strip mounted on a surface of a platen on which a sheet to be scanned has been manually placed. The calibration strip has a first vertical line at a first distance from a right edge of the strip, a second vertical line at a second distance from a left edge of the strip, and a sloping horizontal line positioned between the first and second vertical lines. A slope of the horizontal line is non-zero. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, the image scan of the calibration strip is to obtain calibration measurements. The calibration measurements are, in turn, used to calibrate the scan head of the optical module.

Abstract: An apparatus has an optical scanner generating image signals, and a processor electrically connected to the optical scanner. The processor converts the electrical signals into image data. Also, a printing engine is electrically connected to the processor, and a light guide is positioned between the printing engine and the optical scanner. The optical scanner generates operating condition signals when optically scanning the light guide. The optical scanner transmits the operating condition signals to the processor, and the processor adjusts operations of the printing engine based on the operating condition signals.

Abstract: An apparatus has an optical scanner generating image signals, and a processor electrically connected to the optical scanner. The processor converts the electrical signals into image data. Also, a printing engine is electrically connected to the processor, and a light guide is positioned between the printing engine and the optical scanner. The optical scanner generates operating condition signals when optically scanning the light guide. The optical scanner transmits the operating condition signals to the processor, and the processor adjusts operations of the printing engine based on the operating condition signals.

Abstract: A mount for a light emitting diode print bar removably installable in a printer including an open end having a first curved mounting surface and a closed end oppositely disposed relative to the open end and including an opening, the opening having a second curved mounting surface. A projection of the first curved mounting surface substantially coincides with the second curved mounting surface and the light emitting diode print bar is arranged to pivot about the first and second curved mounting surfaces within the mount.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus and method for calibrating an optical module of a document scanning device. In one embodiment, imaging sensors of an optical module of the scanning device are used to obtain an image scan of a calibration strip mounted on a surface of a platen on which a sheet to be scanned has been manually placed. The calibration strip has a first vertical line at a first distance from a right edge of the strip, a second vertical line at a second distance from a left edge of the strip, and a sloping horizontal line positioned between the first and second vertical lines. A slope of the horizontal line is non-zero. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, the image scan of the calibration strip is to obtain calibration measurements. The calibration measurements are, in turn, used to calibrate the scan head of the optical module.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for encoding liquid ink with a biomarker which can be traced back to a specific inkjet printer. In one embodiment, an aqueous solution containing a biomarker is combined with a volume of liquid ink. The biomarker comprises a nucleic acid. An ordering of nucleobases forming that nucleic acid has a code sequence. In one embodiment hereof, the nucleic acid is constructed using a code sequence which contains, at least in part, the device specific serial number of the inkjet printer. The encoded liquid ink is added to an inkjet printer and the code sequence encoded in that ink is associated with that particular inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is then used to deposit the encoded ink onto a media substrate. In other embodiments, a fluorescent marker is also added with the volume of liquid ink such that the ink fluoresces under an ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A mount for a light emitting diode print bar removably installable in a printer including an open end having a first curved mounting surface and a closed end oppositely disposed relative to the open end and including an opening, the opening having a second curved mounting surface. A projection of the first curved mounting surface substantially coincides with the second curved mounting surface and the light emitting diode print bar is arranged to pivot about the first and second curved mounting surfaces within the mount.

Abstract: A system and method to secure information displayed on the screen of a computing device is provided in which an image to be displayed is algorithmically distorted and thereafter displayed on a display device. To properly view the image, a user must use decoding eyewear which will correct for the applied distortion. The displayed image is thereby rendered unviewable to casual observers and passers-by.

Abstract: According to exemplary document feeding devices disclosed herein, a transparent platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. A document placing tray is located on the sheet side of the transparent platen and a document ejection tray is positioned above the document placing tray. The document placing tray is between the document ejection tray and the transparent platen. A ramp is located at an end of the transparent platen. A feeding path extends from the document placing tray through a scanning position on the transparent platen to the document ejection tray. The scanning position is adjacent to the end of the transparent platen. The feeding path comprises the ramp at the end of the transparent platen. The ramp turns the feeding path from the transparent platen toward the document ejection tray.

Abstract: An input imaging system and method for adjusting LED light uniformity in an LED array are disclosed. For example, the input imaging system includes an LED array, wherein the LED array is divided into a plurality of different banks of LEDs, wherein a light output of each one of the plurality of different banks of LEDs is independently adjustable, an electrical device for adjusting the light output of the each one of the banks of LEDs coupled to each one of the plurality of different banks of LEDs to achieve the uniform LED light illumination profile, a diffuser coupled to the LED array to scatter the light output towards a document, a lens for collecting the light output that is reflected off of the document and a sensor coupled to the lens to receive the light output that is collected by the lens.

Abstract: A printer, copier, or multi-function printing device (MFP) operates in a reduced power mode in which a controller identifies a path of motion of an object external to the printer with reference to signals from a proximity sensor housed in the printer. The controller connects one or more components to electric power to transition to an elevated power operating mode if the identified path corresponds to a path history that is stored in a memory of paths of object paths that have occurred prior to operation of the printer, copier or MFP. The activation of the components reduces a delay that an operator perceives as the printer, copier or MFP transitions from the reduced power operating mode to the elevated power operating mode thus significantly reducing power consumption during operation.

Abstract: An integrated document handling and platen scanning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a main body; a platen glass positionally fixed to the main body; a CVT glass area positionally fixed to the main body; a first image module attached to the main body, the first image module being movable across the platen glass to scan an image on a first side of a document; a document handler attached to the main body and configured to invert the document and to feed the document across the CVT glass area; and an attachment point on the main body that attaches the main body to a copier body of a photocopier such that the main body, platen glass, first image module, and document handler move as a unit relative to the copier body. The first image module is configured to remain stationary and scan the image on the first side of the document as the document is fed across the CVT glass area.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for calibrating a scanning system. The scanning system comprises a light-transmissive platen defining a top surface and a bottom surface, a controller, a document handler, and a scanner bar for recording image data from documents at various document heights. In one embodiment, the calibration method proposes the use of two calibration strips in a document scanning system that has both platen scanning and Constant Velocity Transport (CVT) scanning modes. In another embodiment, a scanner is disclosed with a dual calibration target or a single calibration target that is manufactured with two (2) different heights to correct the illumination profile at the CVT scanning height or at the platen scanning height.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of dynamically focusing an LED print bar or printhead using piezoelectric stacks. The stack is mounted on either end of the LED bar to adjust the focus of the bar against the photoreceptor surface. The piezo level could be either controlled through active feedback of some description such as optical or electrical, or as a service or manufacturing input. With electronic control, focus adjustments can be made by the machine, and dynamically, if needed. In one embodiment, a flextensional cell structure is employed to amplify the movement of the piezo stack to move the LED bar in the order of >50 microns closer or away from the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: Provided is an interactive control device and system including an integrated display. According to one exemplary embodiment, the control device includes a collimated optical fiber optically coupled to a conventional LCD screen including a control image, the control image is projected to a remote face of the optical fiber for viewing by a user. In addition, a tactile control integrated with the collimated optical fiber provided the user with the ability to control a function associated with the control image, whereby the control image dynamically changes based on the user's movement of the tactile control.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a light guide having a light source that is configured to emit light along a length of the light guide. The light guide further includes outcoupling zones affixed to a rear portion of the light guide, each zones affixed a predetermined distance from each other zone, which are configured to direct at least a portion of the emitted light. The light guide also includes a first diffuser that corresponds to a front portion of the light guide, and which operates to diffuse emitted light exiting the front portion of light guide. The illuminator further includes a secondary diffuser that is located a predetermined distance from the front portion of the light guide forming an air gap there between. The secondary diffuser is configured to further diffuse the at least a portion of the emitted light diffused by the first diffuser after passage through the air gap.

Abstract: An integrated document handling and platen scanning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a main body; a platen glass positionally fixed to the main body; a CVT glass area positionally fixed to the main body; a first image module attached to the main body, the first image module being movable across the platen glass to scan an image on a first side of a document; a document handler attached to the main body and configured to invert the document and to feed the document across the CVT glass area; and an attachment point on the main body that attaches the main body to a copier body of a photocopier such that the main body, platen glass, first image module, and document handler move as a unit relative to the copier body. The first image module is configured to remain stationary and scan the image on the first side of the document as the document is fed across the CVT glass area.

Abstract: A printer, copier, or multi-function printing device (MFP) operates in a reduced power mode in which a controller identifies a path of motion of an object external to the printer with reference to signals from a proximity sensor housed in the printer. The controller connects one or more components to electric power to transition to an elevated power operating mode if the identified path corresponds to a path history that is stored in a memory of paths of object paths that have occurred prior to operation of the printer, copier or MFP. The activation of the components reduces a delay that an operator perceives as the printer, copier or MFP transitions from the reduced power operating mode to the elevated power operating mode thus significantly reducing power consumption during operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a supporting arm having a first end and a second end, and a program of scanning instructions readable by a computerized processor. The first end of the supporting arm is connected to a secondary device. The second end of the supporting arm holds a portable device comprising a camera. The camera has a field of view within which images are captured. The portable device maintains the scanning instructions. The second end of the supporting arm is positioned to hold the camera in a location, relative to the secondary device, to maintain the surface of the secondary device within the field of view of the camera. The camera of the portable device obtains images of objects placed on the surface of the secondary device when the portable device is held by the portable device holder.