Abstract: An apparatus for mutually converting signals between one or more modular printing devices and a document processing system, includes a device controller having a network interface for communicating with a system communications channel, memory for storing data and control code related to the operation of the modular printing devices, and a processor for running the control code, a digital input/output controller for receiving and sending document processing signals, a connector for receiving and sending modular printing device signals, and an optical input/output isolator for optically isolating the signals received via the connector.

Abstract: A media handling system comprises a configuration of N linked modules. Each module has an order based on the module's linkage in the configuration. Thus, a first module of order 1 links to a second module of order 2, the second module links to a third module of order 3, etc., and an (N?1)th module of order (N?1) links to an Nth module of order N. A feeder module feeds a sheet of media to downstream modules. Each downstream module sends a reporting message to an included controller. The reporting message includes the time the module processed the sheet and the module's reported type. For each reporting module, the controller determines the module's order and type based on the reported time and reported type in the module's reporting message. The controller validates the configuration by determining when the order and the type for the reporting modules match a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A system architecture and method are provided for synchronizing the slave clock of one or more resources with the master clock of a controller in a document processing system. The method includes: a) saving a value of the master clock (615); b) generating a discrete clock synchronization interrupt signal and distributing the interrupt signal to the resource(s) via the control bus (625); c) receiving the interrupt signal at each resource (630) and saving a value of the slave clock (640); d) sending a message to the controller via a network to request the value saved for the master clock (645); e) sending the value to the resource (660); f) receiving the value (665); and g) subtracting the value saved for the slave clock from the value saved for the master clock to determine an error value between the clocks (690) and using the error value in an adjustment algorithm to synchronize the slave clock with the master clock (695).

Abstract: A media handling system comprises a configuration of N linked modules. Each module has an order based on the module's linkage in the configuration. Thus, a first module of order 1 links to a second module of order 2, the second module links to a third module of order 3, etc., and an (N?1)th module of order (N?1) links to an Nth module of order N. A feeder module feeds a sheet of media to downstream modules. Each downstream module sends a reporting message to an included controller. The reporting message includes the time the module processed the sheet and the module's reported type. For each reporting module, the controller determines the module's order and type based on the reported time and reported type in the module's reporting message. The controller validates the configuration by determining when the order and the type for the reporting modules match a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A system architecture and method are provided for synchronizing the slave clock of one or more resources with the master clock of a controller in a document processing system. The method includes: a) saving a value of the master clock (615); b) generating a discrete clock synchronization interrupt signal and distributing the interrupt signal to the resource(s) via the control bus (625); c) receiving the interrupt signal at each resource (630) and saving a value of the slave clock (640); d) sending a message to the controller via a network to request the value saved for the master clock (645); e) sending the value to the resource (660); f) receiving the value (665); and g) subtracting the value saved for the slave clock from the value saved for the master clock to determine an error value between the clocks (690) and using the error value in an adjustment algorithm to synchronize the slave clock with the master clock (695).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing network access using network controllers and network interfaces. A network controller has one or more subsystems including a monitoring system that monitors a plurality of communication paths to detect a presence of link pulses in one of the communication paths, a communication providing system that routs the available network signal to a first device, and a communication halting system that prevents the available network signal from being transmitted to one or more other devices. A network interface has a first circuit path routing a first network signal received at a first input of the network interface to a first device. Moreover, the network interface has a second circuit path routing a second network signal received at a second input of the network interface to a first output of the first network interface to be received at a first input of a second network interface.

Abstract: The method of changing system files to be able to change either the primary or secondary language or both on a rigid disk to another language, and to provide the operator with the option of selecting either the primary or secondary language as the medium for the display messages and prompts by providing the language requirements on a floppy disk, identifying the specific files of the control to be altered to produce the language requirements, loading the floppy disk into a floppy disk drive, and transferring the language requirements to the rigid disk.

Abstract: A method of controlling an image processing apparatus having an image processing means for forming an image, a controller including a first memory, and a removable memory medium having a boot sector, a directory, and identifiable files with header sectors, selected files of the removable memory medium capable of being booted into said first memory for controlling the image processing means, including the steps of loading the removable memory medium into a memory drive integral with said image processing apparatus, reading the directory of the removable memory medium for determining bootable attributes, determining the validity of the header sector and the validity of files for booting into the controller, transferring all valid files of the removable memory into the first memory, and determining that the files loaded into the first memory are capable of controlling the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: System for saving and restoring critical files on the rigid disk of an electrostatographic reproduction machine in the event the disk becomes corrupted wherein the critical files have an identifying header sector transparent to the disk directory, with a floppy disk having a bootable locate and read utility to identify critical files and read them to blank floppy disks so as to enable the rigid disk to be rebuilt or replaced without fear of loss or destruction of the critical files, a disk rebuilding utility to rebuild the rigid disk, and a file restoration utility to restore the critical files to the rigid disk when rebuilding or replacing of the rigid disk is completed.

Abstract: System for recording and remotely accessing certain operating data in an electrostatographic reproduction machine for use in analyzing machine faults and software crashes, with transfer of the data to a remote service site either by floppy disk or telecommunications line.

Abstract: The method of permitting the execution of a disk loaded into the disk drive, the disk having a plurality of tracks, comprising the steps of writing data in non-standard format and length to a normally unaccessible track of the disk, the data including an encrypted password, the password being located at an arbitary location within the data, reading the data resulting in an error signal, locating an indexing position and applying an offset to identify the password, and unencrypting and authenticating the password in order to execute the disk.

Abstract: A fault diagnosing and identification system for reproduction machines in which LEDs are provided on the core PWBs, individual LEDs being activated in predetermined on/off sequences to identify both a faulty PWB and the specific fault itself.