Abstract: A method and apparatus for duplex copying providing enhanced time to first copy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner, a printer having a duplexer, and an information pipeline configured to process a data stream representing the image of page sides of the original document to be printed onto a single page of the copy product. The copier includes a processor , a computer readable memory, and a print element. The processor is configured to deliver the first two page sides of the original document to the printer for printing prior to the scanning of all subsequent pages of the original document.

Abstract: A first embodiment of an illumination source including red LEDs, green LEDs, and blue LEDs provides illumination for a scanner. The LEDs are arranged in an array to generate spectrally and spatially substantially uniform illumination on the surface of an object, such as printed media, which is to be scanned. The arrangement of LEDs includes a plurality of groups of three LEDs. Each group of LEDs includes a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED. The LEDs of like colors are connected in series. Power is supplied to the three groups of series connected LEDs by three current sources. The three current sources are each configured to supply a constant current to one of the groups of series connected LEDs. Each current source supplies a magnitude of current so that the resulting light provides substantially uniform illumination on the printed media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for duplex copying providing enhanced time to first copy is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner, a printer having a duplexer, and an information pipeline configured to process a data stream representing the image of page sides of the original document to be printed onto a single page of the copy product. The copier includes a processor , a computer readable memory, and a print element. The processor is configured to deliver the first two page sides of the original document to the printer for printing prior to the scanning of all subsequent pages of the original document.

Abstract: An integrated printer/scanner device includes a housing that supports a scanner module and a printer that are operatively coupled together. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner module is slidably disposed in the housing and formed such that, in a home position, a portion of the scanner module extends beyond the housing. The extending portion includes a control panel thereon for operatively controlling the printer and scanner module. Preferably, the scanner module includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for receiving documents to be scanned while the module is disposed in the home position. Additionally, the scanner module is configured such that the ADF automatically opens when the scanner module is slid out to its extended position.

Abstract: A method of decreasing wait time for a printed page and an image forming device implementing the method which includes an output transport mechanism configured to provide a higher linear velocity for print media than the linear velocity at which the media is transported through the rest of the image forming device. The rollers or other motion imparting apparatus of the output transport mechanism are driven at a higher linear velocity, but connected to their drive source using a slip drive mechanism. The slip drive mechanism maintains a predetermined tension on the media so that the media cannot be deformed before it has completely exited from the print engine. The overall time needed to deliver a printed image to the user is significantly shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slide-in formatter which can be installed in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a fax machine. The image forming device is fitted with a card cage on an interior side of the device housing. A formatter receiving slot is formed in the housing, adjacent to the card cage, extending from the exterior of the housing to its interior. The card cage includes a pair of opposing receiving rails positioned to receive and hold the side edges of formatter board. Suitable mating electrical connectors are attached to both the slide-in formatter board and the card cage which will complete an electrical connection between the slide-in formatter and the internal components of the image forming device.

Abstract: A multi-functional I/O card guide snap mounts to a mother board and houses a slidably removable I/O card for interfacing the I/O card with the mother board. The card guide includes a snap mountable daughter card for bridging the connection between the I/O card and the mother board. The card guide serves as a guide for accurately and easily slidably interfacing the I/O card with the daughter card, and serves as a connector for interfacing the I/O card and daughter card with the mother board. The card guide provides alignment accuracy between the I/O card and the interfacing daughter card connector because of a short tolerance path therebetween and inherent coplanar accuracy. Advantageously, no custom parts are required like conventional high rise connectors, and no extra mounting space or hardware is required like conventional backplane connector systems.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for conveying a media's size to a printing system. First there is a rotatable shaft. Several cams are formed around the shaft. Each cam has a lobe extending beyond the radius of the shaft. A number of levers, one for each cam, pivot about a pivot point and have a tab that is adjacent to a corresponding cam. An indicator wheel is also attached to the shaft. The indicator wheel has a first set of faces located around the circumference of the indicator wheel, where each face indicates a media size. The indicator wheel has another set of faces that indicate a second set of media sizes. Finally, there is a slidable lever positioned adjacent to the indicator wheel. When the slidable lever is in a first position, only media sizes in the first set are visible and the presently visible size is the size conveyed to the printing system.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for conveying a media's size to a printing system. First there is a rotatable shaft. Several cams are formed around the shaft. Each cam has a lobe extending beyond the radius of the shaft. A number of levers, one for each cam, pivot about a pivot point and have a tab that is adjacent to a corresponding cam. An indicator wheel is also attached to the shaft. The indicator wheel has a first set of faces located around the circumference of the indicator wheel, where each face indicates a media size. The indicator wheel has another set of faces that indicate a second set of media sizes. Finally, there is a slidable lever positioned adjacent to the indicator wheel. When the slidable lever is in a first position, only media sizes in the first set are visible and the presently visible size is the size conveyed to the printing system.

Abstract: In the typical fuser, the pressure roller is end mounted to the fuser assembly. Such a mounting creates a higher pressure on the ends of the roller. By removing deformable material from the ends, the pressure across the pressure roller can be equalized. An improved fuser assembly allows for the removal of the deformable material from the ends of the compliant hard fusing pressure roller. The improved fuser consists of the standard components of a fuser, namely a heated fuser roller and one or more pressure rollers. The pressure roller is constructed with a shaft on which a deformable material such as silicone rubber is formed around. A hard outer shell is then placed around the deformable material. The hard outer shell is longer than the deformable material thereby allowing the overall durometer hardness of the pressure roller to vary along the axis.

Abstract: An input roller pushes the media through the electrophotographic device at a given linear velocity. An output roller pulls the media through the electrophotographic device after the media leaves the input roller. The output roller has a linear velocity greater then the input roller's linear velocity. In-between the input and output rollers is a variable media path having an arcuate shape. A compressible media guide is placed along the concave side of the variable media path. As the media is pulled faster by the output roller, the variable media path decreases. The compressible media guide begins to compress thereby creating a constant tension in the media as it passes through the electrophotographic device. By keeping the media under a constant pressure, the likelihood of deformations is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A compliant hard fusing pressure roller for reducing media curl and wave in electrophotographic printers as part of an improved fuser apparatus. The improved fuser consists of the standard components of a fuser, namely of a heated fuser roller and one or more pressure rollers. The pressure roller is constructed with a central rotation shaft with a cylindrical deformable material such as silicone rubber is formed around the central rotation shaft. However, a cylindrical hard outer shell is formed around the deformable material. The compliant hard pressure roller exerts a tangential force toward the fuser roller. Because the outer hard shell of the compliant hard pressure roller is formed from a malleable type material, it provides some compliance and therefor deforms slightly from roundness for small, sharp errors in the fuser roller or media.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk memory drive, inertia in the magnetic head positioning system is reduced by providing a light weight, integrated, magnetic head suspension assembly fabricated of weldable thin sheet material and shaped to provide the required magnetic head flexibility, mobility and spring loading, while affording structural rigidity and dimensional stability in the disk memory drive environment. Unwanted magnetic head displacements are additionally minimizing by employing materials in the magnetic head suspension assembly, including the actuator, the arm and the load beam or flexure, having the same, or nearly the same, thermal expansion coefficients.

Abstract: A module for dust-free containment of rotating data storage media such as disc packs, both in and out of the drive, including top and bottom covers, sliding door access for read/write heads and filtered air, a carrying handle coupled to the media hub for carrying the module and for locking the media in a fixed position within the module while being transported, and a removable chuck plate cover for covering a magnetic chuck plate and for locking the media in a fixed position within the module while being stored.