Abstract: A backup system, apparatus and method to provide a backup of information associated with replaceable devices in an image forming apparatus, such as a color printer. The information may include information representing use of the replaceable devices. The image forming apparatus may include a system memory for storing the replaceable device information. A backup memory may be located on at least one of the replaceable devices to provide a backup of the replaceable device information. The backup memory may allow the replaceable device information to be transferred to another image forming apparatus, for example, when exchanging replaceable devices from a failing apparatus to a replacement apparatus.

Abstract: Upon initialization of an image-forming device, a sensor generates a signal to indicate the presence of packaging material at a location within the image-forming device. The image-forming device displays a message to a user responsive to this signal. The message may include a graphical representation of the image-forming device that graphically indicates access to the location. Upon user request, the image-forming device may also display instructions on how to remove the packaging material from the location. The instructions may also include a graphical representation of the location within the image-forming device, and text describing how to remove the packaging material from the location. The sensor generates another signal when it senses that the packaging material has been removed from the location. Once the packaging materials have been removed, the image-forming device completes the initialization procedure in preparation for image-forming operations.

Abstract: A device and method for moving media sheets within an image forming apparatus. The device includes a motor; a pick mechanism operatively connected to the motor, a first gear set having a first ratio and operatively connecting the motor to the pick mechanism, a feed nip operatively connected to the motor to receive the media sheet and forward the media sheet along a media path, and a second gear set having a second gear ratio and operatively connecting the motor to the feed nip. The motor may operate at a constant speed and drive the pick mechanism at a first speed and the feed nip at a second speed. The first and second speeds may be the same, or the speeds may be different.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor for measuring an acceleration comprises a housing including a measuring-plate, which has a first surface. The measuring plate has a second surface in parallel with and opposite to the first surface. A post is bonded via a post-bonding-face to the first surface. A temperature-compensating-element for compensating a temperature-effect caused by a temperature acting on the measuring-plate, is bonded via an element-bonding-face to the second surface of the measuring-plate. In addition, a sensor as described above is in a measuring device.

Abstract: The invention describes a sensor comprising an element package 2 including piezoelectric elements with an upper area 6 and a lower area 7. A preload sleeve 3 surrounds the said upper area 6 of the said element package 2, while an insulation sleeve 1 sits between the upper area 6 of the said element package 2 and the said preload sleeve 3. An outer housing 4 partially or fully surrounds the said preload sleeve 3 and the lower area 7 of the said element package 2. An insulation part 5 sits between the said lower area 7 of the element package 2 and the said outer housing 4, whereas the said upper area 6 of the said element package 2, the said insulation sleeve 1 and the said preload sleeve 3 have conical shapes and have conforming surfaces. Due to the conical size of the insulation sleeve 1, the load during a shock measurement is distributed on a larger surface area resulting in a reduced compression of the said insulation sleeve. Thereby, the maximum range of the sensor is increased.

Abstract: During a calibration procedure, a first duration between a leading edge trigger corresponding to a leading edge of the media sheet passing a known point in a media path and a feedback event indicating a media sheet in the transfer nip by changes in the transfer current caused by the impedance of the media sheet is calculated and stored. A second duration between a trailing edge trigger and a feedback event indicating no media sheet in the transfer nip may be calculated and stored. During a print operation, a controller delays by the first duration after a leading edge trigger and then increases the transfer voltage. The transfer voltage is decreased following a delay of the second duration after a trailing edge trigger.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device may use a feedback loop to track impedance characteristics of a feedback loop comprising an interface between a first component and a second component disposed and adapted to transfer a toner image therebetween. A controller may execute a search algorithm between printed pages to track the impedance characteristic and selectively adjust a transfer voltage used to transfer the toner image between the first and second component. The search algorithm may be a shortened version of a transfer servo algorithm that is used to identify the impedance characteristic. The shortened transfer servo algorithm is configured to complete in an inter-page gap or abort if the inter-page gap is too short. By tracking the impedance characteristics of the transfer interface, capacitive effects may be accounted for.

Abstract: The application is directed to methods for moving a media sheet through the media path of an image forming device. In one embodiment, the media sheet may be moved by a pick mechanism having a pick roll from an input tray. The pick roll in the input tray may maintain contact with the media sheet and drive the sheet at a first elevated speed as it moves towards the nip. The pick roll may then slow as it brings the leading edge into contact with the nip. This slower speed may reduce the amount of nip shock or compression that may cause reengagement of the pick mechanism and an unintentional double sheet feed. Moving the media sheet at the fast speed a majority of the distance along the media path between the input tray and nip may increase media throughput.

Abstract: Datawords encoded using a first-order Reed-Muller code are decoded using a Fast Hadamard Transform (FHT). Where the dataword is known to comprise a number of unused bits at one end, the soft decisions of the codeword are reordered. Majority polling is then performed on groups of the soft decisions to produce a series of soft decisions which make up a new codeword. The new codeword is then decoded using an FHT of lower order than the FHT applicable to the originally received codeword.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction and a flow-through anode, such as, for example, a dimensionally stable carbon, carbon composite, metal-graphite, or stainless steel anode. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for moving a media sheet along a media path of an image forming device. The media path may include first and second sections. A sensor that detects the media sheet moving along the media path may be positioned between the first and second sections. The media sheet moves through the first section and past the sensor causing the sensor to send a signal to a controller. The media sheet may be moved at differing speeds past the sensor causing the sensor to be activated when the sheet is moving at a first speed, and deactivated when the media sheet is moving at a second speed. The controller may adjust the speed of one or both of the first and second sections based on the signal or signals received from the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction and a flow-through anode, such as, for example, a dimensionally stable carbon, carbon composite, metal-graphite, or stainless steel anode. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e.

Abstract: A method for associating a customer accessible supply item of a first type with an imaging apparatus includes communicating identification information between the customer accessible supply item of the first type and the imaging apparatus; and operationally locking the customer accessible supply item of the first type with only the imaging apparatus based on the identification information, to the exclusion of other imaging apparatuses and other customer accessible supply items of the first type.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a drive control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a frequency control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. An extension may be employed whereby movement of the toner distributing member creates interference between the toner distributing member and the container when the toner distributing member reaches a predetermined position. The interference may be detectable from the drive control circuit as an indication of a full condition.

Abstract: A power controlling network element for a communication system includes a detector for measuring radiation power present in components of radiation; element parts, for example a channel control unit (CCU), transponders and other modules, for at least one of: (i) transmitting to the detector at least some components of input radiation received at the elements parts from the system; and (ii) generating one or more components of radiation and emitting the one or more components to the detector; and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) for receiving data from the detector indicative of radiation power in the components of radiation received at the detector, and for controlling radiation power emitted from or transmitted through the aforementioned element parts so that the components of radiation received at the detector are regulated in power to within predetermined power limits.

Abstract: A vibration mounting comprises a base member (10) for mounting to a mounting location and a support member (14) for supporting a load. The support member is spaced apart from the base member in a load-bearing direction by a vibration-isolating element (18) of a resilient material. The vibration mounting has a centre-line in the load-bearing direction. The vibration-isolating element comprises a plurality of lobes (24) on each side of a plane passing through the centre-line. Each lobe (24) extends from the base member (10) towards the support member (14) and also extends in a lateral direction different from that of other lobes. Each lobe (24) has an upper surface engaging the support member and at least one free surface.

Abstract: A resistive heater adapted for heating a fuser belt is provided. The heater comprises a substrate, a first resistive trace formed over the substrate, and a second resistive trace formed so as to at least partially overlap the first resistive trace.

Abstract: An image forming device in a color printer or the like includes duplex printing. Multiple media sheets are moved through a media path which includes a primary path and a duplex path. Various parameters of the image forming device control the interpage gap between sheets. Parameters include peek-a-boo duplexing, sharing of motors within the drive rollers, and sharing of power supplies.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction and a flow-through anode, such as, for example, a dimensionally stable carbon, carbon composite, metal-graphite, or stainless steel anode. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a motor-driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a motor control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a speed control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. Whether or not the motor is speed controlled, the apparatus may use a shared motor that drives one or more image forming process members and the toner distributing member. A drive arrangement may be used to selectively drive the toner distributing member based on motor direction to avoid interfering with image forming operations.