Abstract: A method of notification to a remote customer support service in response to an operator's dissatisfaction with either machine performance or copy quality is initiated by the operator pressing a dialog button on the console of the machine to start an interactive feedback session through the machine interface. The button signals notification to a remote station. The remote location interacts with the operator to remove the source of dissatisfaction with the help of the operator, through an automated adjustment of machine control parameters or dispatch of a service technician.

Abstract: A system to extend fuser roll life in which image data is varied in its placement on the photoreceptive member and correspondingly, the image receiving substrate position is varied so as to maintain proper location of the image data on the substrate while varying the transverse position of the substrate transverse to the paper path direction. This position varying may take place sheet to sheet or in a job by job arrangement on a printing machine. This varying of lateral position of the sheet causes the high pressure, excessive wear area on the fuser roll to be distributed over a wider area on the roll and not concentrated at a single point at each edge of the sheet. This leads to longer fuser roll life and additionally provides the added benefit of preventing an oil buildup which degrades copies when larger legal size sheets are utilized and/or also preventing associated jams due to the oil buildup at the sheet edge.

Abstract: A sheet path velocity profile signature analysis apparatus which utilizes output from various idler rolls throughout the machine paper path to detect abnormalities. The constantly monitored and instantaneous velocity readings are compared with a base line velocity signature established at the factory. If the constantly monitored velocity profile is not within the pre-established operating parameters as set at the factory, automatic machine adjustment procedures are initiated and/or automatic service alerts are issued. The ability to constantly monitor the velocity profile throughout the machine enables preventative maintenance to occur and worn drive rolls, idler rolls and other transport devices can be replaced before catastrophic failure.

Abstract: A book copying system is disclosed which utilizes a height detector associated with the scan mechanism to obtain the distance between the image plane and portions of the image spaced from the image plane. Optical image data derived from scanning the original is converted to digitized electrical image information. A data processor calculates and/or utilizes correction factors for correcting the electrical image data for imaging mispositioning, image defocusing and loss of image illumination at the portion of the original image displaced from the image plane. Image compression is corrected by control of scan speed. Image illumination is also corrected by increasing the amount of illumination during scan of the portion of the original image displaced from the image plane. Correction of the electrical image data allows the use of less complex elements in the scanning mechanism. Correction signals can be developed during a prescan operation or in realtime scanning.

Abstract: A sheet handler for successively transporting sheet-like material units to and from processing stations in image processing devices such as printers, copiers, and scanners. The sheet handler includes an idler and driven cross-roller set. The rollers are preloaded so that a normal force exists between the rollers at the nip. The nip is positioned in a path for receiving the sheet like material units and to urge such units along the path and into alignment along a registration edge. Apparatus for adjusting the preloaded force are provided to thereby adjust the normal force on sheet-like material passing through the nip.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cleaning apparatus in a printing apparatus of the type having a charge retentive surface upon which residual material is disposed. In one aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the cleaning apparatus includes a rotatable member adapted to contact the charge retentive surface for removing the residual material therefrom, and a motor for rotating the rotatable member. The cleaning apparatus further includes a motor controller for transmitting an electrical signal to the motor, and a machine controller for monitoring the electrical signal to measure the extent of wear to which the rotatable member has been subjected. In another aspect of the disclosed embodiment, the cleaning apparatus includes a conductive cleaning member, disposed proximate the charge retentive surface, for generating an electrostatic field to remove the residual material from the charge retentive surface.

Abstract: A hydrid nudger roll for use in a friction retard feeder includes alternating elastomeric and studded rolls positioned on a support shaft. The outer surface of the elastomeric rolls extends beyond the tips of the studded rolls, but when the elastomeric rolls are deformed against a stack of sheets due to normal force, the tips of the studded rolls extends beyond the outer surface of the elastomeric rolls.

Abstract: A boundary layer disturber for removing heat from the platen of a copier is in the form of an improved scanning reflector which has a portion thereof in the form of a "scoop". During scanning motion, the reflector entrains air flow which disturbs and peels the thermal boundary layer from underneath the platen glass, thus passively improving platen glass cooling. Also, the reflector is contoured to allow air to entrain over the lamp assembly, resulting in enhanced cooling. As a result of changing the form of the reflector there is increased cooling characteristics in the optics cavity, thus allowing blowers with lower power and noise levels to be utilized in the optics cavity.

Abstract: A cleaning blade having a dual action cleaning blade. One side of the cleaning blade is coated with an abrasive material. The cleaning blade is used in an electrophotographic printing machine to remove residual particles from a photoconductive surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for shuttering of vacuum ports of a vacuum platen transport (VPT) plenum in correspondence with the size of the documents being transported from the document tray of a recirculating document handler. The shuttering mechanism is coupled to a movable side guide of the document tray and includes a flexible coiled tape mounted with respect to the vacuum plenum of the VPT and movable side guide of the document tray such that movement of the side causes the tape to seal off vacuum slots within the plenum that are not located beneath documents.

Abstract: A thermally conductive hollow cylinder is used in a copier as a heat dissipating sheet transport device in conjunction with an insulating and reflective baffle. The cylinder is located downstream of the fuser to dissipate heat placed on sheets by the fuser. Air is drawn through holes in the sheet contacting surface of the cylinder by a blower which vents heated air to the outside of the copier. A member can be placed inside the cylinder in order to create an annulus and thereby enable high velocities to be obtained near the outer wall of the cylinder without increasing the overall flow requirement.

Abstract: A book copying mode of operation is presented which utilizes a height detector device associated with the scan mechanism to obtain a series of output signals representing changes in the distance between the scan mirror and the book pages being copied. As the book page is characteristically tend to be lifted away from the platen towards the central spine area, a distance designated as .DELTA.z is formed between the platen and the book page. A profile of this changing distance .DELTA.z is captured and electronically stored in computer memory. A controller then processes the stored signal to provide compensating signals for the errors in the projected image resulting from the changing .DELTA.z. Thus, the angular misalignment of the object image plane is corrected by causing the scan mirror to pivot during scan so as to maintain the proper orientation vis-a-vis sloping book pages. Also, the change in object conjugate caused by the increase in .DELTA.

Abstract: A document feeder is provided for presenting documents to the platen of a copier for copying with a vacuum belt platen transport system having document transporting belts movable under a substantially planar vaccum plenum backing. Also included is a vacuum system for applying a partial vacuum to a document sheet being transported by the movable belts over the platen. Show-through and show-around problems are reduced by optically mtching the belts and the plenum backing. In the preferred embodiment, the background surface is slightly roughend and made to be approximately 92% reflective to light during image exposure. The belts are composed of a urethane material which is approximately 16% transmissive but provides a 91% reflectance when moving along the plenum surface.

Abstract: A document handler 20 for presenting documents to the platen 23 of a copier 10 for copying with a vacuum belt platen transport system 32 having document transporting belts 35 movable under a substantially planar vacuum plenum backing and imaging background surface 33a overlying the platen, and a vacuum system 33 for applying a partial vacuum to a document sheet being transported by the movable belts over the platen; with a clamping and unclamping system for moving the vacuum plenum backing and imaging background surface 33a against the platen 23 to flatten the belts 35 and a document thereon against the platen for copying.

Abstract: A document handler 20 for presenting documents to the platen 23 of a copier 10 for copying with a vacuum belt platen transport system 23 having plural unapertured, thin, low-frictional, document transporting belts 35 with substantial exposed spaced 35a between the edges of the belts, the belts being movable under a substantially planar vacuum plenum backing and imaging background surface 33a overlying the platen, and a vacuum system 33 for applying a partial vacuum to a document sheet being transported by the movable belts; wherein the vacuum plenum surface 33a has multiple vacuum apertures 53 located under and overlaid by the edges of the belts 35, the belts extending in rows under the belt edges across the surface, but not extending into the exposed spaces between the belts. The belts are opaque and white and optically conceal the overlaid vacuum apertures 53.