Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book. The apparatus allows for the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate imaging of the facing pages. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting the operative assemblies and components of the apparatus, a cradle assembly for holding a book, and a page turning assembly for presenting the pages to be imaged in seriatim. The method employed by the present invention involves the steps of turning pages, clamping pages and imaging, wherein the various components of the apparatus are operated to carry out the page turning and imaging functions in sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book, including the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate viewing or imaging of the facing pages.

Abstract: A system for binding books includes a flexible binding material in the form of a stud having top and bottom caps. The stud is inserted into signature staples that protrude from the body of the signature to form stud holes. The binding material can be any material that is extremely flexible, including silicone, metals, etc., as long as it allows the signatures to open in a lay-flat manner either at the signature interfaces or in the body of any signature. The flexible binding material can also be used to temporarily bind pre-punched pages of a book by inserting the flexible binding material into the pre-punched holes to facilitate lay-flat opening of the book.

Abstract: A system for binding books includes a flexible binding material in the form of a stud having top and bottom caps. The stud is inserted into signature staples that protrude from the body of the signature to form stud holes. The binding material can be any material that is extremely flexible, including silicone, metals, etc., as long as it allows the signatures to open in a lay-flat manner either at the signature interfaces or in the body of any signature. The flexible binding material can also be used to temporarily bind pre-punched pages of a book by inserting the flexible binding material into the pre-punched holes to facilitate lay-flat opening of the book.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book. The apparatus allows for the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate imaging of the facing pages. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting the operative assemblies and components of the apparatus, a cradle assembly for holding a book, and a page turning assembly for presenting the pages to be imaged in seriatim. The method employed by the present invention involves the steps of turning pages, clamping pages and imaging, wherein the various components of the apparatus are operated to carry out the page turning and imaging functions in sequence.

Abstract: It is desirable to cover up or mask the stitch joint error. This invention provides systems and methods for indexing the position of a sheet of recording medium conventionally and then measuring the position of the sheet of recording medium accurately by a sensor. Data in the printhead is shifted so that the data is accurately aligned within a predetermined pixel accuracy to the known paper position. This invention covers up the resulting stitch joint error by modifying the pixels at the stitch joint interface to mask the apparent error.

Abstract: It is desirable to cover up or mask the stitch joint error. This invention provides systems and methods for indexing the position of a sheet of recording medium conventionally and then measuring the position of the sheet of recording medium accurately by a sensor. Data in the printhead is shifted so that the data is accurately aligned within a predetermined pixel accuracy to the known paper position. This invention covers up the resulting stitch joint error by modifying the pixels at the stitch joint interface to mask the apparent error.

Abstract: The pages of a book being held at least partially open may be sequentially automatically turned over from one side of the book to the other by pivoting an elongated arm from one side of the book toward the other and turning over individual pages with a vacuum head pivoting relative to the elongated pivoted arm about a different pivot axis as the elongated arm moves to reduce undesirable forces on the individual book pages being turned over. The vacuum head may initially pivot to bend the edge of an individual page up away from the book, to aid in page separation, and then subsequently differently pivot to help peel the same page gently away from the vacuum head and flip it over onto the opposite side of the book. This may be assisted by moving frictional belts on the vacuum head.

Abstract: A method for printing in an image forming system is disclosed. The method, in combination with an apparatus printhead, suppresses defects in printed images. When an image forming system prints an image or group of images in a swath by swath manner, there is a tendency for minor printing defects to arise based on poor alignment of the printhead or ink ejectors, or an error in the instruction software. The printing defects can be defects such as unwanted white spaces or lines, or unwanted bold areas or overlapping swath edges. The present invention utilizes the edges of the swaths to insert a stitch line between the swaths having a different number and size of pixels printed, to allow for modification of the stitch line after measuring an actual advance of a printing medium between each instance of a swath. The same image data line provides the instructions to print both the first and second portions of the stitch line, between each swath.

Abstract: The pages of a book being held at least partially open may be sequentially automatically turned over from one side of the book to the other by pivoting an elongated arm from one side of the book toward the other and turning over individual pages with a vacuum head pivoting relative to the elongated pivoted arm about a different pivot axis as the elongated arm moves to reduce undesirable forces on the individual book pages being turned over. The vacuum head may initially pivot to bend the edge of an individual page up away from the book, to aid in page separation, and then subsequently differently pivot to help peel the same page gently away from the vacuum head and flip it over onto the opposite side of the book. This may be assisted by moving frictional belts on the vacuum head.

Abstract: A dryer uses a two-phase drying system having a brief water condensation interval, followed by impinging parallel laminar recirculating hot air jets which impinge on wet ink to increase the copy rate of inkjet printing and to increase the quality of the printed image.

Abstract: A method for printing in an image forming system is disclosed. The method, in combination with an apparatus printhead, suppresses defects in printed images. When an image forming system prints an image or group of images in a swath by swath manner, there is a tendency for minor printing defects to arise based on poor alignment of the printhead or ink ejectors, or an error in the instruction software. The printing defects can be defects such as unwanted white spaces or lines, or unwanted bold areas or overlapping swath edges. The present invention utilizes the edges of the swaths to insert a stitch line between the swaths having a different number and size of pixels printed, to allow for modification of the stitch line after measuring an actual advance of a printing medium between each instance of a swath. The same image data line provides the instructions to print both the first and second portions of the stitch line, between each swath.

Abstract: A printer control apparatus and an algorithm for determining the peak instantaneous speed of a substrate through a thermal ink jet printer and a printer apparatus are disclosed herein. The printer includes a dryer module, a print head module, and a controller. The method includes determining the tolerable peak instantaneous speeds of the substrate through the print head and dryer modules, which by their sequential nature, operate out of phase from one another. The lower of the two speeds is then selected as the optimum instantaneous speed of the substrate through the printer. A controller in the printer carries out methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A printer control apparatus and an algorithm for determining the peak instantaneous speed of a substrate through a thermal ink jet printer and a printer apparatus are disclosed herein. The printer includes a dryer module, a print head module, and a controller. The method includes determining the tolerable peak instantaneous speeds of the substrate through the print head and dryer modules, which by their sequential nature, operate out of phase from one another. The lower of the two speeds is then selected as the optimum instantaneous speed of the substrate through the printer. A controller in the printer carries out methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the air plenum including an outer perimeter, and a corrugated surface for corrugating one of the compilation of sheets into predefine multiple spans; a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the air plenum thereby corrugating one of the compilation of sheets into predefine multiple spans; a series of sets of seals around the outer perimeter of the air plenum, for sealing one of the compilation of sheets against the air plenum.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the air plenum including an outer perimeter, a seal around said outer perimeter and a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the air plenum and the seal.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets in a process direction to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the compilation of sheets, the plenum including a corrugated surface having a first set of ribs at a first height and a second set of ribs at a second height; and a blower for generating a vacuum force in the air plenum to drive one of the compilation of sheets into contact with the corrugated surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a compilation of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, comprising: a sheet tray for holding said compilation of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above said compilation of sheets, for picking up sheets into contact with said air plenum when a vacuum force is applied; drive means, attached to said air plenum, for translating said air plenum initially in a direction reverse from the direction of movement so that a trailing edge of said one of said compilation of sheets abuts against a portion of said sheet tray to generate a buckle area in said one of said compilation of sheets thereby allowing separation of one of said compilation of sheets from other sheets in said compilation of sheets, and said drive means translates said one of said compilation of sheets in said direction of movement.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station. A sheet tray is provided for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum is positioned above the stack of sheets. The air plenum picks up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force is in the air plenum; a paper fluffer is provided for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack. The paper fluffer is able to adjust air flow between individual sheets. The paper fluffer includes a support structure and a plate pivotality mounted in the support structure, the plate having a venturi plate portion in contact the sheet and regulating plate portion, the regulating plate portion has an aperture defined therein which permits air to go through and has a cross-section area which limits air low as the sheet moves in contact with the air plenum while pivoting the plate.

Abstract: An office machine having a pair of printers includes a machine frame and a first printer mounted on the frame. A sheet transport assembly is mounted on the frame for moving sheets past the first printer along a sheet path. A second printer includes a printer cartridge having a cartridge frame and a thermal ink jet print head secured to the cartridge frame. An ink supply container is selectively secured to the cartridge frame so that it communicates with the ink jet print head. The ink supply container can be selectively removed from the cartridge frame. A carriage is mounted on the office machine frame so that the carriage can move in relation to the sheet path. The printer cartridge is removably mounted on the carriage. The carriage enables the printer cartridge to be selectively brought to a desired location in relation to the sheet path to allow the printer cartridge to print on a sheet travelling therepast.