Abstract: A stepping mechanism comprising a motor, a motor gear connectable to the motor and rotatable by the motor, a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch when the motor rotates the gear in a first direction so as to operate the first one-way clutch in a first mode and the motor rotates the gear in the second direction so as to operate the second one-way clutch in a second mode, wherein the first and second one-way clutch do not operate at the same time.

Abstract: The efficiency and speed in ink jet printing can be improved by adding a storage register between the shift register and the jet drive logic. By adding the storage register, jet print data that is serially loaded into the shift register can be parallel transferred to the storage register, where it is used by the jet drive logic to fire ink jets. While the jets are being fired new data is loaded and transferred to the storage registers to be used by the jet drive logic. This improves the system efficiency by eliminating the need for two extra pulses that are usually needed to load the first block of data and fire the last block of data.

Abstract: An ink jet printer of the type having a replaceable printhead assembly with a usage monitoring system detects and displays the remaining available use or lifetime for the printhead assembly installed in the printer. The droplet ejecting electrical pulses applied to selected heating elements of the printhead in the printhead assembly are counted and compared with the number of pulses assigned to a set of permanently inactivable or changeable cell sites integral with the printhead assembly. Each time the number of counted pulses are equal to the value assigned for a cell site, the cell site is addressed to change its state from active to inactive. The remaining active cell sites are representative of the percent of remaining available use for the installed printhead assembly, and this percentage is displayed for the convenience of the customer. Because the cell sites are permanently changed, the supplier can also determine the amount of use of the printhead assembly when warranty claims are submitted.

Abstract: A preheater is placed between a supply tray station and a print zone of an ink printer. Power to the preheater is varied so that the preheater is heated to a fist relatively high temperature during the time that the recording medium is advanced from the supply station to the print zone. When the recording medium enters the print zone, the medium is moved at a slower indexing speed, and the power to the preheater is reduced to a second level. The result is a more uniform application of preheat to the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink composition which comprises water, a colorant, a nonionic surfactant, and a fluorinated material selected from the group consisting of (a) those of the formula ?(F.sub.2n+1 C.sub.n CH.sub.2 S).sub.2 (CH.sub.3)C--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COO.sup.- !?B.sup.+ !, wherein n is an integer of from about 8 to about 20 and B is a cation, and (b) those of the formula ?(F.sub.3 C(F.sub.2 C).sub.n CH.dbd.CHCH.sub.2 OCH(OH)CH.sub.2).sub.2 NCH.sub.2 COO.sup.- !?X.sup.+ !, wherein X is a cation. Also disclosed are ink jet printing processes employing the aforementioned ink.

Abstract: A device for tracking a belt moving along a path in a predetermined direction, including a member including opposed arcuate marginal regions and a central region interposed therebetween. The opposed arcuate marginal regions have a first coeffecient of friction and the central region has a second coeffecient of friction less than the first coeffecient of friction so as to maintain the belt moving over the member in substantial alignment with the predetermined direction. A second belt path defining member or roller may further contribute to straight belt tracking. Plural belt/roller systems may be used cooperatively in sheet moving systems and decurlers in printing machines and in other applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a sheet in a predetermined path is described. The apparatus includes a gripper for releasably grasping a lead edge of the sheet and a baffle for feeding the sheet into the gripper. The baffle includes a sheet directing member having a first facet and a second facet, with the second facet of the sheet directing member extending from the first facet and being angled towards the predetermined path of the sheet for deflecting the lead edge of the sheet being advanced into the gripper. One, two or more such two faceted sheet directing members may be coupled with one or more three faceted sheet directing members for further enhancing the sheet deflecting capabilities of the baffle. The baffle may be movable relative to the sheet path, and include a control member for moving the baffle between a first position engaging the lead edge of the sheet in the first position and second position in which the baffle is displaced from the path of the sheet.

Abstract: A digital copier includes an automatic copy quality correction and calibration method that corrects a first component of the copier using a known test original before attempting to correct other components that may be affected by the first component. Preferably, a scanner subsystem is first calibrated by scanning a known original and electronically comparing the scanned digital image with a stored digital image of the original. A hard copy of a known test image is then printed by a printer subsystem and the calibrated scanner subsystem scans the hard copy. The scanned digital image is electronically compared with the test image and the printer subsystem is calibrated based on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling printing option menu selections to form a final set of printing instructions for a print job. A printer user interface accepts a first set of printing instructions, while a printer port accepts a computer generated storage media having a print job including a second set of printing instructions embedded therein. A processor maintains a default set of printing instructions at the printer. A processor combines the first set of printing instructions, the second set of printing instructions and the default set of printing instructions so as to compile the final set of printing instructions for completing the print job. The printing instructions may be compiled so as to prioritize the printing instructions in a desired manner. The user interface may display the various set of printing instructions, and warn printer users when conflicts arise between the instructions.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an advancing sheet is guided along a paper path. The apparatus includes a non-rotating, arcuate member, positioned closely adjacent to a drive roller, defining a nip through which the advancing sheet moves. The arcuate member resiliently urges the sheet into contact with the drive roller to move the sheet between adjacent guide plates along the sheet path.